Operating Results Information for each Business Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2012	Mar. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 768,358	$ 720,274	$ 1,446,756	$ 1,345,612
Operating Earnings (Loss)	155,704	143,799	293,194	272,718
Oncology Systems
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	582,000	566,000	1,106,000	1,053,000
Operating Earnings (Loss)	132,000	125,000	252,000	237,000
X-Ray Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	140,000	123,000	273,000	236,000
Operating Earnings (Loss)	38,000	33,000	72,000	60,000
Total Reportable Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	722,000	689,000	1,379,000	1,289,000
Operating Earnings (Loss)	170,000	158,000	324,000	297,000
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	47,000	32,000	68,000	57,000
Operating Earnings (Loss)	(7,000)	(9,000)	(18,000)	(19,000)
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Earnings (Loss)	$ (7,000)	$ (5,000)	$ (13,000)	$ (5,000)