Activity Under Employee Stock Plans (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2013
Shares Available for Grant
Balance at September 28, 2012	11,868
Shares Available for Grant, Authorized
Shares Available for Grant, Granted	(2,004)	[1]
Shares Available for Grant, Canceled, expired or forfeited	29	[2]
Shares Available for Grant, Exercised	0
Balance at March 29, 2013	9,893
Number of Shares
Number of Shares, Options Outstanding	6,459
Number of Shares, Authorized
Number of Shares, Granted	605	[1]
Number of Shares, Canceled, expired or forfeited	(3)	[2]
Number of Shares, Exercised	(1,749)
Number of Shares, Options Outstanding	5,312
Number of Shares, Options Exercisable	4,299
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$ 48.34
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Authorized
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted	$ 68.93	[1]
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Canceled, expired or forfeited	$ 56.23	[2]
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$ 45.01
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$ 51.77
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$ 48.91
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Option Outstanding	3 years 6 months
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercised	2 years 10 months 24 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Option Outstanding	$ 107,460	[3]
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercised	$ 99,244	[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 of options, which is computed based on the difference between the exercise price and VMS's closing common stock price of $72 as of March 28, 2013, that last trading date of the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, and which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised and sold their options as of that date.