Activity Under Employee Stock Plans (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2012
Shares Available for Grant
Balance at September 30, 2011, Shares Available for Grant	8,424
Shares Available for Grant, Authorized	6,000
Shares Available for Grant, Granted	(2,673)	[1]
Shares Available for Grant, Cancelled or expired	111	[2]
Shares Available for Grant, Exercised	0
Balance at June 29, 2012, Shares Available for Grant	11,862
Number of Shares
Balance at September 30, 2011	6,917
Number of Shares, Granted	742	[1]
Number of Shares, Cancelled or expired	(29)	[2]
Number of Shares, Exercised	(1,015)
Balance at June 29, 2012, Number of Shares	6,615
Exercisable at June 29, 2012, Number of Shares	5,604
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Balance at September 30, 2011, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 45.90
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted	$ 58.50	[1]
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Cancelled or expired	$ 55.69	[2]
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$ 40.60
Balance at June 29, 2012, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 48.08
Exercisable at June 29, 2012, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 46.56
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term
Balance at June 29, 2012, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	3 years 9 months 18 days
Exercisable at June 29, 2012, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	3 years 4 months 24 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Balance at June 29, 2012, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 84,621	[3]
Exercisable at June 29, 2012, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 80,142	[3]

[1] The difference between the number of shares granted listed in the column headed "Shares Available for Grant" and the number of shares granted listed in the column headed "Options Outstanding-Number of Shares" represents the awards of deferred stock units, restricted stock units and performance units. Deferred stock unit, restricted stock unit and performance unit awards were counted against the shares available for grant limit as 2.5 shares for every one awarded before February 9, 2012 and were counted against the shares available for grant limit as 2.6 shares for every one awarded on or after February 9, 2012. In addition, the shares available for grant limit was further adjusted to reflect a maximum payout of 1.5 shares that could be issued for each performance unit granted.

[2] The difference between the number of cancelled or expired shares listed in the column headed "Shares Available for Grant" and the number of cancelled or expired shares listed in the column headed "Options Outstanding-Number of Shares" represents the cancellation of shares of restricted common stock and restricted stock units due to employee terminations.

[3] The aggregate intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value, which is computed based on the difference between the exercise price and the closing price of VMS common stock of $60.77 as of June 29, 2012, the last trading date of the third quarter of fiscal year 2012, and which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised and sold their options as of that date.