|**Net Earnings Per Share (Tables)**                                   | 3 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
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|**Earnings Per Share [Abstract]**                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
|Schedule Of Computation Of Basic And Diluted Net Earnings Per Share   | The table below sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc. (in millions, except per share amounts):Three Months EndedMarch 30, 2013March 31, 2012Numerator:Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.$223$212Denominator:Basic weighted average shares outstanding285.3315.7Effect of dilutive securities:Employee stock options1.91.8Restricted stock units0.20.2Diluted weighted average shares outstanding287.4317.7Basic net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.$0.78$0.67Diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.$0.78$0.67
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|                                                                      | Three Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
|                                                                      | March 30, 2013                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
|Numerator:                                                            |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
|Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.                   | $                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
|Denominator:                                                          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
|Basic weighted average shares outstanding                             | 285.3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
|Effect of dilutive securities:                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
|Employee stock options                                                | 1.9                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
|Restricted stock units                                                | 0.2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
|Diluted weighted average shares outstanding                           | 287.4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
|Basic net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.   | $                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
|Diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc. | $                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

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