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Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Oct. 29, 2013 | Sep. 04, 2012
--- | --- | ---
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Assessed damages |  | $ 4.0
Additional Payments | $ 14.7 |

X
- Definition Amount assessed in damages. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | holx_AmountAssessedInDamages
Namespace Prefix: | holx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Loss contingency damages sought related to additional contingent consideration under merger and acquisition agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | holx_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtRelatedToAdditionalContingentConsiderationUnderMergerAndAcquisitionAgreement
Namespace Prefix: | holx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration