| **Special Charges (Details) (USD $)In Millions, unless otherwise specified**               | 3 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
||
| Field Action Costs | Operating Expense                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges**          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Legal Fees                                                                                 | $ 5us-gaap_LegalFees/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember/ us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis= stj_FieldActionCostsMember                                                                                                                   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| March 2010 Securities Class Action                                                         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges**          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Unusual or Infrequent Item, Insurance Proceeds                                             | 10us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemInsuranceProceeds/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis= stj_March2010SecuritiesClassActionMember                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Manufacturing and Supply Chain Optimization Plan                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges**          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Special charges                                                                            | 8stj_TotalSpecialCharges/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_ManufandSupplyOptimizationPlanMember                                                                                                                                                                    | 32stj_TotalSpecialCharges/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_ManufandSupplyOptimizationPlanMember                                                                                                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining                                    | 40us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_ManufandSupplyOptimizationPlanMember                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Restructuring Reserve                                                                      | 16us-gaap_RestructuringReserve/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_ManufandSupplyOptimizationPlanMember                                                                                                                                                              | 20us-gaap_RestructuringReserve/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_ManufandSupplyOptimizationPlanMember                                                                                                                                                               | 0us-gaap_RestructuringReserve/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_ManufandSupplyOptimizationPlanMember                                                                                        |
| Manufacturing and Supply Chain Optimization Plan | Operating Expense                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges**          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Special charges                                                                            | 6stj_TotalSpecialCharges/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_ManufandSupplyOptimizationPlanMember                                                                                               | 25stj_TotalSpecialCharges/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_ManufandSupplyOptimizationPlanMember                                                                                               |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Manufacturing and Supply Chain Optimization Plan | Cost of Sales                           |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges**          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Special charges                                                                            | 2stj_TotalSpecialCharges/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_ManufandSupplyOptimizationPlanMember                                                                                                    | 7stj_TotalSpecialCharges/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_ManufandSupplyOptimizationPlanMember                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Manufacturing and Supply Chain Optimization Plan | Other Restructuring                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges**          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Restructuring Reserve                                                                      | 3us-gaap_RestructuringReserve/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_ManufandSupplyOptimizationPlanMember                                                                                    | 6us-gaap_RestructuringReserve/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_ManufandSupplyOptimizationPlanMember                                                                                     | 0us-gaap_RestructuringReserve/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_ManufandSupplyOptimizationPlanMember             |
| Manufacturing and Supply Chain Optimization Plan | Other Restructuring | Operating Expense |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges**          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Other Restructuring Costs                                                                  | 3us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_ManufandSupplyOptimizationPlanMember            | 8us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_ManufandSupplyOptimizationPlanMember             |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Manufacturing and Supply Chain Optimization Plan | Other Restructuring | Cost of Sales     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges**          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Other Restructuring Costs                                                                  | 0us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_ManufandSupplyOptimizationPlanMember                 | 0us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_ManufandSupplyOptimizationPlanMember                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| 2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan                                               |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges**          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Special charges                                                                            | 5stj_TotalSpecialCharges/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_A2012BusinessRealignmentRestructuringPlanMember                                                                                                                                                         | 108stj_TotalSpecialCharges/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_A2012BusinessRealignmentRestructuringPlanMember                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining                                    | 4us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_A2012BusinessRealignmentRestructuringPlanMember                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Restructuring Reserve                                                                      | 33us-gaap_RestructuringReserve/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_A2012BusinessRealignmentRestructuringPlanMember                                                                                                                                                   | 38us-gaap_RestructuringReserve/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_A2012BusinessRealignmentRestructuringPlanMember                                                                                                                                                    | 87us-gaap_RestructuringReserve/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_A2012BusinessRealignmentRestructuringPlanMember                                                                            |
| 2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan | Operating Expense                           |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges**          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Special charges                                                                            | 3stj_TotalSpecialCharges/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_A2012BusinessRealignmentRestructuringPlanMember                                                                                    | 78stj_TotalSpecialCharges/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_A2012BusinessRealignmentRestructuringPlanMember                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| 2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales                               |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges**          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Special charges                                                                            | 2stj_TotalSpecialCharges/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_A2012BusinessRealignmentRestructuringPlanMember                                                                                         | 30stj_TotalSpecialCharges/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_A2012BusinessRealignmentRestructuringPlanMember                                                                                         |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| 2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan | Other Restructuring                         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges**          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Restructuring Reserve                                                                      | 14us-gaap_RestructuringReserve/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_A2012BusinessRealignmentRestructuringPlanMember                                                                        | 12us-gaap_RestructuringReserve/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_A2012BusinessRealignmentRestructuringPlanMember                                                                         | 33us-gaap_RestructuringReserve/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_A2012BusinessRealignmentRestructuringPlanMember |
| 2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan | Other Restructuring | Operating Expense     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges**          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Other Restructuring Costs                                                                  | 2us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_A2012BusinessRealignmentRestructuringPlanMember | 35us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_A2012BusinessRealignmentRestructuringPlanMember |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| 2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan | Other Restructuring | Cost of Sales         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges**          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Other Restructuring Costs                                                                  | 0us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_A2012BusinessRealignmentRestructuringPlanMember      | 1us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis= stj_A2012BusinessRealignmentRestructuringPlanMember       |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Field Action Costs | Cost of Sales                                                         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges**          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Loss Contingency, Loss in Period                                                           | $ (2)us-gaap_LossContingencyLossInPeriod/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis= stj_FieldActionCostsMember                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                          |

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| - Definition
Includes costs associated with cost of sales expenses and operating expenses that are unusual or infrequent in occurrence (such as restructuring, remediation, impairment charges and certain litigation charges).
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| - Definition
The amount of expense provided in the period for legal costs incurred on or before the balance sheet date pertaining to resolved, pending or threatened litigation, including arbitration and mediation proceedings.
+ References
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| - Definition
The amount of loss pertaining to the specified contingency that was charged against earnings in the period, including the effects of revisions in previously reported estimates.
+ References
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|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of other expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.
+ References
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Amount of expected cost remaining for the specified restructuring cost.
+ References
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| - Definition
Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.
+ References
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| - Definition
The gross income statement effect of insurance proceeds for each material event or transaction (that would not reasonably be expected to recur in the foreseeable future) that possesses a high degree of abnormality and are clearly unrelated to, or incidentally related to, the ordinary and typical activities of the entity.
+ References
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