Segment Information (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Oct. 01, 2010	Oct. 02, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Countries represented 10% or more of total revenues	No single foreign country	No single foreign country	No single foreign country
Oncology Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating earnings (loss) if new corporate expense allocation method was applied			$ 425
X-Ray Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating earnings (loss) if new corporate expense allocation method was applied			70
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating earnings (loss) if new corporate expense allocation method was applied			(24)
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating earnings (loss) if new corporate expense allocation method was applied			$ 3