Options Outstanding and Exercisable Under Employee Stock Plans (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011	Oct. 01, 2010	Oct. 02, 2009
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares, Options Outstanding	6,459		6,917	10,174	11,853
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years), Options Outstanding	3 years 6 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$ 48.34		$ 45.90	$ 44.03	$ 40.59
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Outstanding	$ 78,140	[1]
Number of Shares, Options Exercisable	5,540		6,188	8,449	10,140
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years), Options Exercisable	3 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$ 46.91		$ 45.42	$ 43.16	$ 40.18
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Exercisable	74,867	[1]
Range One
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit	$ 21.50
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit	$ 29.19
Number of Shares, Options Outstanding	115
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years), Options Outstanding	2 months 12 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$ 24.60
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Outstanding	4,105	[1]
Number of Shares, Options Exercisable	115
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years), Options Exercisable	2 months 12 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$ 24.60
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Exercisable	4,105	[1]
Range Two
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit	$ 32.10
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit	$ 39.85
Number of Shares, Options Outstanding	1,584
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years), Options Outstanding	2 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$ 37.27
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Outstanding	36,517	[1]
Number of Shares, Options Exercisable	1,584
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years), Options Exercisable	2 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$ 37.27
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Exercisable	36,517	[1]
Range Three
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit	$ 40.21
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit	$ 52.07
Number of Shares, Options Outstanding	2,316
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years), Options Outstanding	3 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$ 50.11
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Outstanding	23,647	[1]
Number of Shares, Options Exercisable	2,315
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years), Options Exercisable	3 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$ 50.11
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Exercisable	23,638	[1]
Range Four
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit	$ 52.08
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit	$ 72.19
Number of Shares, Options Outstanding	2,444
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years), Options Outstanding	4 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$ 54.94
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Outstanding	13,871	[1]
Number of Shares, Options Exercisable	1,526
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years), Options Exercisable	3 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$ 53.74
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Exercisable	$ 10,607	[1]

[1] 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 $60.32 as of September 28, 2012, the last trading date of fiscal year 2012, and which represents the amount that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options and sold the shares received upon exercise as of that date.