| **Fair Value Measurements And Financial Instruments Fair Value Measurements And Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)In Millions, unless otherwise specified** | Mar. 30, 2013 | Dec. 29, 2012 |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|---------------|
| **Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]**                                                                                                                                        |          |          |
| Fair Value, Estimate Not Practicable, Cost Method Investments                                                                                                                | $ 91          | $ 151         |
| Fixed rate debt obligations fair value disclosure                                                                                                                            | 2,490         |          |
| Fixed rate debt obligations carrying value                                                                                                                                   | 2,386         |          |
| Other debt carrying value                                                                                                                                                    | $ 969         |          |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Fixed rate debt obligations carrying value.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**stj_FixedRateDebtObligationsCarryingValue**Namespace Prefix:**stj_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Fixed rate debt obligations fair value disclosure.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**stj_FixedRateDebtObligationsFairValueDisclosure**Namespace Prefix:**stj_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Carrying value of other debt obligations (excluding fixed-rate senior notes).
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**stj_OtherDebtCarryingValue**Namespace Prefix:**stj_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_FairValueDisclosuresAbstract**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This item represents a financial instrument (as defined) for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value. Such disclosure may be for an individual financial instrument or a class of financial instruments.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 18 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph a -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 325 -SubTopic 20 -Section 25 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=15227560&loc=d3e39828-111592Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 107 -Paragraph 14 -Subparagraph a -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**Name:**us-gaap_FairValueEstimateNotPracticableCostMethodInvestments**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |