| **Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $)In Millions, unless otherwise specified**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                      |
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| Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |                                                                                                                                                                 |  |   |  |   |  |
| **Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                 |  |   |  |   |  |
| Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | $ 45us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember                        |  | $ 47us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember |  | $ 101us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember |  |
| Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 14us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember          |  | 14us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember |  | 6us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember |  |
| Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Other Accounts                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | 0us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToOtherAccounts/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember            | [1] | 0us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToOtherAccounts/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember | [1] | 1us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToOtherAccounts/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember | [1] |
| Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | (6)us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember                      | [2] | (16)us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember | [2] | (61)us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember | [2] |
| Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions Other                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | 0stj_ValuationAllowancesandReservesDeductionsOther/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember                       | [1] | 0stj_ValuationAllowancesandReservesDeductionsOther/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember | [1] | 0stj_ValuationAllowancesandReservesDeductionsOther/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember | [1] |
| Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | 53us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember                          |  | 45us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember |  | 47us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember |  |
| Write-off related to Greek distributor [Member]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                                                                                                 |  |   |  |   |  |
| **Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                 |  |   |  |   |  |
| Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |                                                                                                                                                                 |  |   |  | (55)us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= stj_WriteoffrelatedtoGreekdistributorMember |  |
| Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                 |  |   |  |   |  |
| **Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                 |  |   |  |   |  |
| Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | 368us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember                |  | 228us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember |  | 157us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember |  |
| Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 44us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember |  | 140us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember |  | 76us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember |  |
| Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | (13)us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember            |  | (7)us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember |  | (5)us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember |  |
| Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Adjustments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 1us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesAdjustments/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember              | [3] | 7us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesAdjustments/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember | [3] | 0us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesAdjustments/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember | [3] |
| Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | $ 400us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember              |  | $ 368us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember |  | $ 228us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance/ us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis= us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember |  |
|                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| [1]Primarily represents the effects of changes in foreign currency translation.[2]Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries. During 2012, the Company wrote-off $55 million related to its Greek distributor, previously reserved for during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.[3]Primarily represents the effects of changes in foreign currency translation and tax adjustments for changes in statutory tax rates. |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
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| - Definition
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions Other
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Total of the adjustments in a given period to allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability.
+ References
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Total of allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs.
+ References
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|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Total of allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs, charged to costs and expenses.
+ References
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| - Definition
Total of allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs, charged to accounts other than costs and expenses in a given period.
+ References
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Total of the deductions in a given period to allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs, representing receivables written off as uncollectible and portions of the reserves utilized, respectively.
+ References
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                  |
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                 |
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                          |
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