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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 27, 2014 | Sep. 28, 2013
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Accounting Policies [Abstract] |  |
Minimum pension liability, tax | $ 0.2 | $ 0.2

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- Definition Tax effect of the cumulative change of the minimum pension liability recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | holx_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansTax
Namespace Prefix: | holx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccountingPoliciesAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration