v2.4.0.6

Commitments and Contingencies - Summary of Contingent Consideration Charges Recorded to the Consolidated Statements of Operations (Detail) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Mar. 30, 2013 | Mar. 24, 2012 | Mar. 30, 2013 | Mar. 24, 2012
Contingent Consideration Charges [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Contingent consideration - compensation expense | $ 29,388,000 | $ 18,121,000 | $ 58,874,000 | $ 28,562,000
Contingent consideration - fair value adjustments | 799,000 | 43,188,000 | 10,839,000 | 48,310,000
Contingent consideration total | 30,187,000 | 61,309,000 | 69,713,000 | 76,872,000
Sentinelle Medical Inc. [Member] |  |  |  |
Contingent Consideration Charges [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Contingent consideration - fair value adjustments |  | 258,000 |  | (210,000)
Contingent consideration total |  | 258,000 |  | (210,000)
Interlace Medical, Inc [Member] |  |  |  |
Contingent Consideration Charges [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Contingent consideration - fair value adjustments | 799,000 | 42,930,000 | 10,839,000 | 48,520,000
Contingent consideration total | 799,000 | 42,930,000 | 10,839,000 | 48,520,000
TCT International Co., Ltd. [Member] |  |  |  |
Contingent Consideration Charges [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Contingent consideration - compensation expense | 29,388,000 | 17,527,000 | 58,874,000 | 27,539,000
Contingent consideration total | 29,388,000 | 17,527,000 | 58,874,000 | 27,539,000
Healthcome [Member] |  |  |  |
Contingent Consideration Charges [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Contingent consideration - compensation expense |  | 594,000 |  | 1,023,000
Contingent consideration total |  | $ 594,000 |  | $ 1,023,000

X
- Definition Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration Expense + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | holx_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationExpense
Namespace Prefix: | holx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | holx_ContingentConsiderationChargesLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | holx_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the amount of contingent consideration expense recorded in the respective reporting period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | holx_ContingentConsiderationCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix: | holx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This element represents the amount of any change, including any differences arising upon settlement, recognized during the reporting period in the value of a liability, arising from an item of contingent consideration, assumed in a business combination. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7488404&loc=d3e7008-128479 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 141R -Paragraph 72 -Subparagraph b -Clause 1 -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. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration