Abbott Transaction	3 Months Ended
Apr. 02, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Abbott Transaction	ABBOTT TRANSACTION On April 27, 2016, the Company and Abbott Laboratories (Abbott) entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”). Under the Merger Agreement generally each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock will be converted into the right to receive (x) $46.75 in cash, without interest thereon, and (y) 0.8708 of a validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable common share of Abbott (such ratio as may be adjusted pursuant to the Merger Agreement), less any applicable withholding taxes. Completion of the merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including (i) adoption of the Merger Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all outstanding Company common shares, (ii) effectiveness of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Abbott in connection with the registration of the Abbott common shares to be issued in the merger, (iii) the expiration of the waiting period applicable under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and receipt of other specified antitrust approvals, (iv) subject to specified materiality thresholds, the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the other party, (v) the other party having performed in all material respects all of its obligations under the Merger Agreement, (vi) the absence of a material adverse effect, as defined in the Merger Agreement, on the other party, and (vii) and the receipt by each party of opinions to the effect that the transaction will be treated as a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. On May 2, 2016, a shareholder of the Company filed a purported class action lawsuit in Ramsey County, Minnesota, captioned Silverman v. St. Jude Medical, Inc., et al., 62-CV-16-2872. The lawsuit alleges that the Company's directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “Proposed Transaction”) and that the Abbott defendants aided and abetted those breaches. The lawsuit seeks, among other things, to enjoin the Proposed Transaction and an order directing defendants to account to plaintiffs for all damages allegedly suffered by the proposed class. The Company and its directors intend to vigorously defend against the allegations in the complaint.

ABBOTT TRANSACTION

On April 27, 2016, the Company and Abbott Laboratories (Abbott) entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”). Under the Merger Agreement generally each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock will be converted into the right to receive (x) $46.75 in cash, without interest thereon, and (y) 0.8708 of a validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable common share of Abbott (such ratio as may be adjusted pursuant to the Merger Agreement), less any applicable withholding taxes.

Completion of the merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including (i) adoption of the Merger Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all outstanding Company common shares, (ii) effectiveness of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Abbott in connection with the registration of the Abbott common shares to be issued in the merger, (iii) the expiration of the waiting period applicable under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and receipt of other specified antitrust approvals, (iv) subject to specified materiality thresholds, the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the other party, (v) the other party having performed in all material respects all of its obligations under the Merger Agreement, (vi) the absence of a material adverse effect, as defined in the Merger Agreement, on the other party, and (vii) and the receipt by each party of opinions to the effect that the transaction will be treated as a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

On May 2, 2016, a shareholder of the Company filed a purported class action lawsuit in Ramsey County, Minnesota, captioned Silverman v. St. Jude Medical, Inc., et al., 62-CV-16-2872. The lawsuit alleges that the Company's directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “Proposed Transaction”) and that the Abbott defendants aided and abetted those breaches. The lawsuit seeks, among other things, to enjoin the Proposed Transaction and an order directing defendants to account to plaintiffs for all damages allegedly suffered by the proposed class. The Company and its directors intend to vigorously defend against the allegations in the complaint.