Represents additional proceeds to be received one year after FDA approval, depending on whether under the First Amendment or the Second Amendment.

Name:	holx_AdditionalAmountToBeReceivedBeginningOneYearFromApproval
Namespace Prefix:	holx
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Additional amount to be received over an eighteen to thirty month period after FDA approval depending on which one of two payment options selected by the buyer.

+ Details

Name:	holx_AdditionalAmountToBeReceivedInEighteenToThirtyMonthPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	holx
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Additional proceeds to be received upon FDA approval of the product.

+ Details

Name:	holx_AdditionalAmountToBeReceivedOnApproval
Namespace Prefix:	holx
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents total transaction price for the sale of certain intellectual property rights as a result of executing an amendment to the original agreement.

+ Details

Name:	holx_AmendedTransactionPriceAsResultOfExecutionOfAmendmentToOriginalAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	holx
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Proceeds received upon executing an amendment to the original agreement. This amount was recorded as a deferred gain as the rights to the assets had not been transferred as FDA approval had not been received yet.

+ Details

Name:	holx_AmountReceivedOnSigningOfAmendment
Namespace Prefix:	holx
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The royalty rate on sales due to the Company for a pre-defined period dependent on the payment option selected by the buyer.

+ Details

Name:	holx_RoyaltyOnSalesDue
Namespace Prefix:	holx
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents amount of the transaction price received pursuant to the contractual requirements. This amount was recorded as a deferred gain within current liabilities.

+ Details

Name:	holx_TransactionPriceAmountsReceived
Namespace Prefix:	holx
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Transaction price for the sale of the exclusive and worldwide rights to certain intellectual property rights. This amount represents the original sales price, which was subsequently adjusted by an amendment.

+ Details

Name:	holx_TransactionPriceOfSaleOfIntellectualPropertyAssets
Namespace Prefix:	holx
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The excess or deficiency of net proceeds from sale in the period compared to carrying value of intangible assets as of consummation date of the sale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (CON)

-Number 6

-Paragraph 82, 83, 87

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7,9)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfIntangibleAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Sale Of Makena (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Sale Of Makena (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 03, 2011	Jan. 08, 2010	Jan. 16, 2008	Mar. 26, 2011	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010	Sep. 26, 2009
Transaction price of sale of intellectual property assets			$ 82,000,000
Transaction price amounts received	12,500,000						9,500,000
Gain on sale of intellectual property, net				84,500,000	84,502,000
Amended transaction price as a result of executing amendment		199,500,000
Amount received upon signing of the amendment		70,000,000
Additional amount to be received upon FDA approval	12,500,000	25,000,000
Additional amount to be received beginning one year from FDA approval	12,500,000	95,000,000
Additional amount to be received in 18 to 30 month period	95,000,000
Royalty on sales due	5.00%
Previously Received [Member] \| Parent Company [Member]
Transaction price amounts received	$ 79,500,000