v2.4.0.8

Borrowings and Credit Arrangements - Interest Expense under Convertible Notes (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Debt Conversion [Line Items]
Non-cash interest expense	$ 81,177	$ 74,974	$ 76,814
Convertible Notes Payable [Member]
Debt Conversion [Line Items]
Amortization of debt discount	52,732	68,532	72,908
Amortization of deferred financing costs	3,048	3,828	3,906
Principal accretion	9,225
Non-cash interest expense	65,005	72,360	76,814
2.00% accrued interest	34,376	34,898	34,427
Interest expense, net	$ 99,381	$ 107,258	$ 111,241

X

- Definition

The component of interest expense representing the periodic charge against earnings to reflect amortization of debt issuance costs over the life of the related debt instruments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Represents the amount of principal accretion at the applicable rate pursuant to the terms of the debt agreement, which is recorded as interest expense.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_BasePrincipalAmountForAccretionValue
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of noncash expense included in interest expense to amortize debt discount and premium associated with the related debt instruments. Excludes amortization of financing costs. Alternate captions include noncash interest expense.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1A

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 8

-Article 5

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount of noncash expense included in interest expense to allocate debt discount and premium, and the costs to issue debt and obtain financing over the related debt instruments. Alternate captions include noncash interest expense.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

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X

- Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense for debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

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X

- Definition

Represents the portion of interest incurred in the period on debt arrangements that was charged against earnings, excluding amortization of debt discount (premium) and financing costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 8

-Article 5

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