Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Rollforward of Goodwill Activity by Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Mar. 30, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 3,942,779
Tax adjustments	(533)
Foreign currency	(694)
Ending balance	3,941,309
Gen-Probe Incorporated [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition adjustments	2,146
Chindex Medical Limited [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition adjustments	1,903
Breast Health [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	635,741
Tax adjustments
Foreign currency	(1,614)
Ending balance	636,030
Breast Health [Member] \| Gen-Probe Incorporated [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition adjustments
Breast Health [Member] \| Chindex Medical Limited [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition adjustments	1,903
Diagnostics [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	2,283,447
Tax adjustments	(545)
Foreign currency	255
Ending balance	2,281,011
Diagnostics [Member] \| Gen-Probe Incorporated [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition adjustments	2,146
Diagnostics [Member] \| Chindex Medical Limited [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition adjustments
GYN Surgical [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	1,015,466
Tax adjustments	12
Foreign currency	666
Ending balance	1,016,144
GYN Surgical [Member] \| Gen-Probe Incorporated [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition adjustments
GYN Surgical [Member] \| Chindex Medical Limited [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition adjustments
Skeletal Health [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	8,125
Tax adjustments
Foreign currency	(1)
Ending balance	8,124
Skeletal Health [Member] \| Gen-Probe Incorporated [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition adjustments
Skeletal Health [Member] \| Chindex Medical Limited [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition adjustments

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-Clause 1

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14024403&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph l

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 34

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 43

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 72

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The aggregate amount of goodwill acquired in the period and allocated to the reportable segment. The value is stated at fair value based on the purchase price allocation.

+ References+ Details