| **Business Combinations Business Combinations Narrative (Details)In Millions, unless otherwise specified** | 12 Months Ended |        | 12 Months Ended |        |        | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |        | 3 Months Ended |        | 3 Months Ended |        |        |        |        |        |        |        |        | 12 Months Ended |        | 12 Months Ended |        | 12 Months Ended |        |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|--------|-----------------|--------|--------|----------------|-----------------|--------|----------------|--------|----------------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|-----------------|--------|-----------------|--------|-----------------|--------|
||
| Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired                                                       | $ 292           | $ 0    | $ 0             | $ 171  | 160    |           |            | $ 121  |           |   |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |            |   |            |   |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High                |            |   |            | 167    |   |           | 150             |   | 65             |   |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |            |   |            |   |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability                                                  | 188             |   |            |   |   | 132            |            |   | 56             |   |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |            |   |            |   |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net      | 513             |   |            |   |   | 303            |            |   | 210            |   |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |            |   |            |   |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Other intangible assets                                                                                    |            |   |            |   |   |           |            |   |           |   |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |            |   |            |   |            |   | 54 |   | 20 |   | 34 | 7 | 7 |
| Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life                                      |            |   |            |   |   |           |            |   |           |   |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |            |   |            |   |            |   |   | 7 years |   | 10 years |   | 12 years |   |
| Indefinite-lived intangible assets, excluding goodwill                                                     |            |   |            |   |   |           |            |   |           |   |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 60     | 33              | 27     | 45              | 45     | 63              | 63     |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Equity Security Ownership Interest                                                                         |            |   |            |   |   |           |            |   | 18.00%         |   |           |   | 19.00% |   |   |   | 19.00% |   |   |            |   |            |   |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Equity Interest, Total Ownership Percentage By All Other Investors                                         |            |   |            |   |   |           |            |   |           | 82.00% |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |            |   |            |   |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Equity Security Ownership Interest And Allocated Value For Purchase Option                                 | 33              |   |            |   |   | 0              |            |   | 33             |   |           |   | 40     |   |   |   | 60     |   |   |            |   |            |   |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Additional Payment For Acquisition At Company Option                                                       |            |   |            |   |   |           |            |   |           |   |           |   | 300    |   |   |   | 375    |   |   |            |   |            |   |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Variable Interest Entity, Financial or Other Support, Amount                                               |            |   |            |   |   |           |            |   |           |   |           | 15     |   |   | 9      | 28     |   |   |   |            |   |            |   |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments                                                                  |            |   |            |   |   |           |            |   |           |   | 35             |   |   |   | 1      |   |   |   |   |            |   |            |   |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Purchase Accounting Adjustments                                        |            |   |            |   |   |           |            |   |           |   | 5              |   |   |   | 6      |   |   |   |   |            |   |            |   |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Purchase Accounting Adjustments                                            |            |   |            |   |   |           |            |   |           |   | 3              |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |            |   |            |   |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete Adjustment, Total Liabilities |            |   |            |   |   |           |            |   |           |   | 3              |   |   |   | 2      |   |   |   |   |            |   |            |   |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Equity Interests |            |   |            |   |   |           |            |   |           |   |           |   |   | 40     |   |   |   | 5      |   |            |   |            |   |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Loss                    |            |   |            |   |   |           |            |   |           |   |           |   |   |   |   | $ 29   |   |   |   |            |   |            |   |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Additional payment for acquisition at our company's option.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**stj_AdditionalPaymentForAcquisitionAtCompanyOption**Namespace Prefix:**stj_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete Adjustment, Total Liabilities
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Equity Interest, Total Ownership Percentage By All Other Investors
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**stj_EquityInterestTotalOwnershipPercentageByAllOtherInvestors**Namespace Prefix:**stj_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Equity security ownership interest.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**stj_EquitySecurityOwnershipInterest**Namespace Prefix:**stj_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Equity security ownership interest and allocated value for purchase option.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**stj_EquitySecurityOwnershipInterestAndAllocatedValueForPurchaseOption**Namespace Prefix:**stj_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Weighted average amortization period of finite-lived intangible assets acquired either individually or as part of a group of assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16265-109275
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
For contingent consideration arrangements recognized in connection with a business combination, this element represents an estimate of the high-end of the potential range (undiscounted) of the consideration which may be paid.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7488404&loc=d3e6927-128479
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of liability recognized arising from contingent consideration in a business combination.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 30 -Section 35 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph b -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911338&loc=d3e6819-128478Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 30 -Section 25 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911189&loc=d3e6408-128476
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the amount of any measurement period adjustment (as defined) realized during the reporting period to equity interests acquired in connection with a business combination for which the initial accounting was incomplete.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25497992&loc=d3e1500-128463
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, that lack physical substance, having a projected indefinite period of benefit, acquired at the acquisition date.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6910749&loc=d3e4845-128472
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of intangible assets, excluding goodwill, acquired at the acquisition date.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6910749&loc=d3e4845-128472
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount recognized for assets, including goodwill, in excess of (less than) the aggregate liabilities assumed.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6910749&loc=d3e4845-128472
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
In a business combination achieved in stages, this element represents the amount of loss recognized by the entity as a result of remeasuring to fair value the equity interest in the acquiree it held before the business combination.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementLoss**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of increase (decrease) to assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life for purchase accounting adjustments.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsPurchaseAccountingAdjustments**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of increase (decrease) from adjustments after acquisition date under purchase accounting of an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14024403&loc=d3e13816-109267Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 16 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21917927&loc=d3e961-128460
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of increase (decrease) of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance and having a projected indefinite period of benefit, from purchase accounting adjustments.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsPurchaseAccountingAdjustments**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The amount of financial or other support the reporting entity has provided (explicitly or implicitly) to the Variable Interest Entity (VIE) that it was not previously contractually required to provide or that the reporting entity intends to provide, including, for example, situations in which the reporting entity assisted the VIE in obtaining another type of support.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5A -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28200181&loc=SL6759159-111685
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityFinancialOrOtherSupportAmount**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |