| **Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)** | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
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| **Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]**  |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)     | QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)  First Second Third Fourth (in millions, except per share amounts)Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter          Fiscal Year 2015:        Net sales$1,345 $1,410 $1,339 $1,447 Gross profit950 986 914 946 Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.262290215113Basic net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.$0.93 $1.03 $0.76 $0.40 Diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.$0.91 $1.02 $0.75 $0.39          Fiscal Year 2014:        Net sales$1,363 $1,448 $1,372 $1,439 Gross profit980 1,015 960 1,014 Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.249270 238245Basic net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.$0.88 $0.95 $0.83 $0.86 Diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.$0.86 $0.93 $0.82 $0.84 During the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2015, the Company recognized after-tax (benefits) charges of ($17 million), ($20 million), $43 million and $166 million, respectively, in its Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc. These charges (benefits) primarily related to acquisition-related charges (benefits), restructuring charges, intangible asset impairment charges and product field action costs and litigation costs, partially offset by discrete tax (benefits) charges and insurance recoveries. See Notes 2, 8, 9 and 11 for further information.During the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2014, the Company recognized after-tax charges of $25 million, $21 million, $39 million and $65 million, respectively, in its Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc. These charges primarily related to restructuring charges, acquisition-related charges, intangible asset impairment charges, product field action costs and litigation costs and legal settlement expenses, partially offset by income tax benefits for discrete income tax adjustments and a favorable legal settlement. See Notes 2, 8, 9 and 11 for further information. |

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No definition available.
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| - Definition
The entire disclosure for the quarterly financial data in the annual financial statements.  The disclosure may include a tabular presentation of financial information for each fiscal quarter for the current and previous year, including revenues, gross profit, income or loss before extraordinary items and earnings per share data. It also includes an indication if the information in the note is unaudited, comments on the aggregate effect of year-end adjustments, and an explanation of matters or transactions that affect comparability or are pertinent to an understanding of the information furnished.
+ References
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