Restructuring Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring Plan from 2017 to 2019, St Jude and Alere Integrations
Restructuring costs
Liabilities assumed as part of business acquisitions			$ 23
Accrued balance at beginning of the period	$ 41	$ 68
Restructuring charges	72	52	187
Payments and other adjustments	(67)	(79)	(142)
Accrued balance at end of the period	46	41	68
Employee related severance and other charges	72	52	187
Restructuring Plan from 2017 to 2019, St Jude and Alere Integrations \| Cost of products sold
Restructuring costs
Restructuring charges	19	5	5
Restructuring Plan from 2017 to 2019, St Jude and Alere Integrations \| Research and development
Restructuring costs
Restructuring charges	4	10
Restructuring Plan from 2017 to 2019, St Jude and Alere Integrations \| Selling, general and administrative expense
Restructuring costs
Restructuring charges	49	37	182
Restructuring Plan From 2016 To 2019
Restructuring costs
Accrued balance at beginning of the period	70	119	17
Restructuring charges	66	28	120	$ 32
Payments and other adjustments	(57)	(77)	(18)	(15)
Accrued balance at end of the period	79	70	119	$ 17
Employee related severance and other charges	66	28	120
Accelerated depreciation in restructuring charges			2
Restructuring Plan From 2016 To 2019 \| Cost of products sold
Restructuring costs
Restructuring charges	16	10	7
Restructuring Plan From 2016 To 2019 \| Research and development
Restructuring costs
Restructuring charges	28	2	77
Restructuring Plan From 2016 To 2019 \| Selling, general and administrative expense
Restructuring costs
Restructuring charges	$ 22	$ 16	$ 36

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Amount of liabilities assumed at the acquisition date.

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Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

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Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

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Amount of accelerated depreciation charged against earnings associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring plan.

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Amount of expenses for special or contractual termination benefits provided to current employees involuntarily terminated under a benefit arrangement associated exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to one-time termination benefits, a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

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