Acquisitions (CCC - Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 27, 2015	Aug. 12, 2014	Jan. 01, 2016	Jan. 01, 2016	Jan. 02, 2015
Lake Region Medical [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Effective date of acquisition	Oct. 27, 2015
Name of acquired entity	Lake Region Medical Holdings, Inc.
Description of acquired entity	Lake Region Medical specializes in the design, development, and manufacturing of products across the medical component and device spectrum primarily serving the cardio, vascular and advanced surgical markets.
Reason for acquisition	The Company believes that the combination of Greatbatch and Lake Region Medical brings together two highly complementary organizations that can provide a new level of industry leading capabilities and services to original equipment manufacturer customers while building value for shareholders.
Total revenue included from the acquired entity			$ 138,600	$ 138,600
Total net income included from the acquired entity				$ (17,400)
Cash consideration paid to Lake Region Medical stockholders and equity award holders	$ 478,490
Increase in inventory	$ 23,000
Lake Region Medical [Member] | Customer Lists [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Customer annual attrition rate	5.00%
Centro De Construccion De Cardioestimuladores Del Uruguay [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Effective date of acquisition		Aug. 12, 2014
Name of acquired entity		Centro de Construcción de Cardioestimuladores del Uruguay
Description of acquired entity		CCC is an active implantable neuromodulation medical device systems developer and manufacturer that produces a range of medical devices including implantable pulse generators, programmer systems, battery chargers, patient wands and leads.
Reason for acquisition		This acquisition allows the Company to more broadly partner with medical device companies, complements the Company’s core discrete technology offerings and enhances the Company’s medical device innovation efforts.
Total revenue included from the acquired entity					$ 5,800
Total net income included from the acquired entity					$ 1,200
Cash consideration paid to Lake Region Medical stockholders and equity award holders		$ 19,800
Increase in inventory		$ 300
Centro De Construccion De Cardioestimuladores Del Uruguay [Member] | Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Royalty rate		3.00%
Centro De Construccion De Cardioestimuladores Del Uruguay [Member] | Customer Lists [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Customer annual attrition rate		15.00%
Centro De Construccion De Cardioestimuladores Del Uruguay [Member] | Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Royalty rate		0.50%