Segment Data - Financial Information for Company's Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	$ 3	$ 6	$ 718	$ 111
Acquisitions and other restructurings	(101)	(104)	(191)	(458)
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	1,123	770	2,303	1,791
Operating Segments | Medical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	599	588	1,265	1,211
Operating Segments | Life Sciences
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	293	336	598	652
Operating Segments | Interventional
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	231	(154)	441	(72)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Acquisitions and other restructurings	(101)	(104)	(191)	(458)
Net interest expense	(153)	(181)	(336)	(295)
Corporate, Non-Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	$ (866)	$ (479)	$ (1,058)	$ (926)