v2.4.0.8

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Rollforward of Goodwill Activity by Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance			$ 3,942,779
Impairment charge	(1,100,000)	(5,800)	(1,117,369)	(5,826)
Disposition of portion of a reporting unit			(1,257)
Gen-Probe valuation revision adjustment			(15,750)
Tax adjustments			(856)
Foreign currency			265
Ending balance	2,814,528	3,942,779	2,814,528	3,942,779
Gen-Probe Incorporated [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition adjustments			4,226
Chindex Medical Limited [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition adjustments			1,798
SenoRx, Inc [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition adjustments			692
Breast Health [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance			635,741
Impairment charge
Foreign currency			(1,866)
Ending balance	636,365		636,365
Breast Health [Member] | Chindex Medical Limited [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition adjustments			1,798
Breast Health [Member] | SenoRx, Inc [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition adjustments			692
Diagnostics [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance			2,283,447
Impairment charge			(1,117,369)
Disposition of portion of a reporting unit			(1,257)
Gen-Probe valuation revision adjustment			(15,750)
Tax adjustments			(868)
Foreign currency			1,125
Ending balance	1,153,554		1,153,554
Diagnostics [Member] | Gen-Probe Incorporated [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition adjustments			4,226
GYN Surgical [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance			1,015,466
Impairment charge
Tax adjustments			12
Foreign currency			978
Ending balance	1,016,456		1,016,456
Skeletal Health [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance			8,125
Foreign currency			28
Ending balance	$ 8,153		$ 8,153

X

- Definition

Amount of adjustments recorded to goodwill for taxes related to acquisitions.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing 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

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Amount of increase in asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized resulting from a business combination.

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- Definition

Amount of loss from the write-down 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.

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- 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.

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Amount of increase (decrease) from foreign currency translation adjustments of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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Amount of divestiture of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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