Business Segments and Geographic Information - Segment Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 631,362	$ 472,711
Operating income (loss)	63,229	66,759
Depreciation and amortization	128,155	77,123
Capital expenditures	22,447	14,676
Identifiable assets	10,468,555		10,477,108
Diagnostics [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Total revenues	305,916	154,064
Operating income (loss)	14,295	20,138
Depreciation and amortization	91,542	39,989
Capital expenditures	13,853	7,038
Identifiable assets	6,061,568		6,170,553
Breast Health [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Total revenues	220,808	215,352
Operating income (loss)	44,946	47,417
Depreciation and amortization	9,930	10,604
Capital expenditures	3,580	1,569
Identifiable assets	952,292		956,134
GYN Surgical [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Total revenues	80,909	78,545
Operating income (loss)	622	(5,013)
Depreciation and amortization	26,479	26,088
Capital expenditures	2,745	2,749
Identifiable assets	1,923,953		1,944,386
Skeletal Health [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Total revenues	23,729	24,750
Operating income (loss)	3,366	4,217
Depreciation and amortization	204	442
Capital expenditures	179	457
Identifiable assets	33,513		32,778
Corporate [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	2,090	2,863
Identifiable assets	$ 1,497,229		$ 1,373,257