QUARTERLY FINANCIAL RESULTS AND MARKET FOR THE COMPANY'S STOCK (UNAUDITED) (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011 European receivables	Jun. 30, 2011 European receivables	Dec. 31, 2011 European receivables	Dec. 31, 2011 Settlements and litigation	Dec. 31, 2011 Settlements and litigation	Dec. 31, 2011 Settlements and litigation	Jun. 30, 2012 License of intellectual property	Apr. 30, 2012 License of intellectual property	Jun. 30, 2012 License of intellectual property	Dec. 31, 2012 License of intellectual property	Jun. 30, 2012 Voluntary recalls of certain of the company's heart valves and critical care catheters	Dec. 31, 2011 Realignment expenses, net Employee severance 2011 realignment	Dec. 31, 2011 Realignment expenses, net Employee severance 2011 realignment	Dec. 31, 2012 Realignment expenses, net Employee severance 2012 realignment	Dec. 31, 2012 Realignment expenses, net Employee severance 2012 realignment
Effect of Quarterly Events
Special charges (Note 3)		$ 16.0	$ 21.6	$ 22.7	$ 8.8	$ 4.0	$ 12.8	$ 3.3	$ 3.3	$ 3.3	$ 5.0	$ 2.0	$ 7.0	$ 7.0		$ 5.5	$ 5.5	$ 9.0	$ 9.0
Charge to gross profit related to inventory recall	$ 8.1														$ 8.1