Variable Interest Entity (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011
Variable Interest Entity [Abstract]
Equity CPTC has raised				approximately $60 million
Loan facility to CPTC	$ 165.3
Value of CPTC proton therapy system agreement			88
Approximate value of CPTC proton therapy system service agreement		60
Duration of CPTC proton therapy system service agreement, in years		ten
CPTC loan facility, Varian's maximum loan commitment	115.3
Pro rata share of the Company's obligation to fund the initial distribution and subsequent advances	69.75%
CPTC loan facility, end of the drawdown period	2014
CPTC loan facility, maturity	September 2015
CPTC loan facility, interest rate during initial term	6.25%
CPTC loan facility, minimum interest rate during initial term	8.25%
CPTC loan facility, interest rate during extension term	7.00%
CPTC loan facility, minimum interest rate during extension term	9.00%
CPTC loan facility, description of interest and principal payments	Interest only payments are due monthly in arrears until July 1, 2014, at which time monthly payments based on amortization of the principal balance over a 15-year period at an interest rate of 8.25% become due and payable.
CPTC loan facility, amortization period over which monthly payments are calculated after July 1, 2014	15-year
CPTC loan facility, interest rate based on which monthly payments are calculated after July 1, 2014	8.25%
CPTC loan facility, commitment fee as a % of loan facility amount	1.50%
CPTC loan facility, exit fee as a % of principal paid	1.00%
The Company's subsidiary's right to share revenues of the Scripps Proton Therapy Center (%)	4.00%
The Company's subsidiary's right to share revenues of the Scripps Proton Therapy Center (period)	35 years
Loan to CPTC	19.2			19.2
Accounts receivable from CPTC	$ 15.2			$ 15.2