Operating Results Information for each Business Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2012	Jun. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 726,211	$ 705,246	$ 2,172,967	$ 2,050,858
Operating Earnings (Loss)	154,732	153,587	447,926	426,305
Oncology Systems
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	561,000	546,000	1,667,000	1,599,000
Operating Earnings (Loss)	129,000	127,000	381,000	364,000
X Ray Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	136,000	127,000	409,000	363,000
Operating Earnings (Loss)	33,000	35,000	105,000	94,000
Total Reportable Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	697,000	673,000	2,076,000	1,962,000
Operating Earnings (Loss)	162,000	162,000	486,000	458,000
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	29,000	32,000	97,000	89,000
Operating Earnings (Loss)	(4,000)	(8,000)	(22,000)	(27,000)
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Earnings (Loss)	$ (3,000)		$ (16,000)	$ (5,000)