v2.4.0.8
Business Segments and Geographic Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 28, 2013
Jun. 29, 2013
Mar. 30, 2013
Dec. 29, 2012
Sep. 29, 2012
Jun. 23, 2012
Mar. 24, 2012
Dec. 24, 2011
Sep. 28, 2013
Segment
Sep. 29, 2012
Sep. 24, 2011
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]                      
Number of reportable segments                 4    
Revenues $ 622,118 $ 626,136 $ 612,663 $ 631,362 $ 588,548 [1] $ 470,228 $ 471,165 $ 472,711 $ 2,492,279 $ 2,002,652 $ 1,789,349
Impairment of goodwill 1,100,000       5,800       1,117,369 5,826  
Diagnostics [Member]
                     
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]                      
Revenues                 1,189,819 718,064 571,263
Impairment of goodwill                 1,117,369    
Breast Health [Member]
                     
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]                      
Revenues                 905,076 875,771 825,551
Impairment of goodwill                       
Molecular Diagnostics [Member]
                     
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]                      
Impairment of goodwill                 1,100,000    
Molecular Diagnostics [Member] | Diagnostics [Member]
                     
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]                      
Impairment of goodwill                 1,100,000    
Mammosite [Member]
                     
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]                      
Impairment of goodwill                   5,800  
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
                     
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]                      
Revenues                 0    
Operating Segments [Member] | Mammosite [Member] | Breast Health [Member]
                     
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]                      
Impairment of goodwill                   5,800  
Operating Segments [Member] | Foreign Countries [Member]
                     
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]                      
Revenues                 $ 621,700 $ 511,200 $ 414,400
[1] The fourth quarter was a 14-week quarter compared to all other quarters which were 13-week quarters.