Activity Under Employee Stock Plans (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2014
Shares Available for Grant
Shares Available for Grant, Beginning Balance	9,925
Shares Available for Grant, Granted	(1,915)
Shares Available for Grant, Cancelled or expired	68
Shares Available for Grant, Ending Balance	8,078
Number of Shares
Number of Shares, Options Outstanding	4,485
Number of Shares, Granted	619
Number of Shares, Cancelled or expired	(11)
Number of Shares, Exercised	(1,182)
Number of Shares, Options Outstanding	3,911
Number of Shares, Options Exercisable	2,828
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$ 53.02
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted	$ 83.49
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Cancelled or expired	$ 66.16
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$ 47.97
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$ 59.35
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$ 53.04
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Weighted - Average Remaining Contractual Term, Option Outstanding	3 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted - Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable	2 years 7 months 6 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Option Outstanding	$ 91,241	[1]
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	$ 83,282	[1]

[1] 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 $82.49 as of March 28, 2014, the last trading date of the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, and which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised and sold their options as of that date.