v2.4.0.8
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 28, 2013
Customer
Jun. 29, 2013
Sep. 29, 2012
Customer
Dec. 24, 2011
Sep. 28, 2013
Customer
Sep. 29, 2012
Customer
Sep. 24, 2011
Sep. 28, 2013
Gen-Probe Incorporated [Member]
Sep. 29, 2012
Gen-Probe Incorporated [Member]
Aug. 01, 2012
Gen-Probe Incorporated [Member]
Sep. 28, 2013
Molecular Diagnostics [Member]
Sep. 28, 2013
Other reporting units [Member]
Jun. 29, 2013
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]
Sep. 28, 2013
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]
Gen-Probe Incorporated [Member]
Sep. 29, 2012
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]
Gen-Probe Incorporated [Member]
Sep. 28, 2013
Minimum [Member]
Sep. 28, 2013
Minimum [Member]
Accounts receivable [Member]
Sep. 29, 2012
Minimum [Member]
Accounts receivable [Member]
Sep. 28, 2013
Minimum [Member]
Total revenues [Member]
Sep. 29, 2012
Minimum [Member]
Total revenues [Member]
Sep. 24, 2011
Minimum [Member]
Total revenues [Member]
Sep. 28, 2013
Maximum [Member]
Reclassifications [Line Items]                                            
Cash equivalent maturity period         Three months or less                                  
Number of customers with balance greater than specified percentage 0   0   0 0                                
Concentration risk, percentage                                 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00%  
Impairment charges on tangible assets         $ 6,300,000 $ 19,500,000                                
Impairment charges on long lived assets 700,000       3,700,000 6,500,000                                
Property plant and equipment not material charge             0                              
Intangible assets useful life, minimum         2 years                                  
Intangible assets useful life, maximum         30 years                                  
Impairment charge                         1,700,000                  
Acquired In-process research and development charges           4,500,000                                
Intangible assets from business acquisition                           1,700,000,000 1,570,000,000              
In-process research and development assets               117,000,000 227,000,000 117,000,000                        
In-process research and development, value               93,000,000                            
Total cost of completion of IPR&D projects               49,000,000                            
Expected number of years for project completion               4 years                            
Discount rate assumption for fair value measurement of reporting unit         10.00%           10.00%                      
Impairment of goodwill 1,100,000,000   5,800,000   1,117,369,000 5,826,000         1,100,000,000                      
Percentage used to provide additional disclosure of potential goodwill impairment in the future         10.00%                                  
Additional impairment charge         195,400,000                                  
Reporting unit's goodwill                       2,500,000,000                    
Damage awarded by jury       18,800,000                                    
Percentage of equity ownership at which cost-method investments would not qualify for cost-method accounting         20.00%                                  
Other-than-temporary impairment charges         6,400,000 0 2,400,000                              
Sale of investment   2,000,000                                        
Defined contract term                               3 years           5 years
Product Warranty Term         1 year                                  
Advertising cost         $ 14,100,000 $ 29,800,000 $ 29,000,000