v2.4.0.6

Equity - Additional Information (Detail) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 6 Months Ended |
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Mar. 30, 2013 Stockholder Rights Plan [Member] | Mar. 11, 2013 Amended and Restated 2008 Equity Incentive Plan [Member] Minimum [Member] | Mar. 11, 2013 Amended and Restated 2008 Equity Incentive Plan [Member] Maximum [Member]
Expiration date of Rights Plan | January 1, 2013 |  |
Number of shares authorized for issuance |  | 10.0 | 31.5

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- Definition Expiration Date Of The Rights + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | holx_
Data Type: | us-types:dateStringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph A240 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant