Segments of Business and Geographic Areas (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2012		Jul. 03, 2011		Jul. 01, 2012		Jul. 03, 2011
Operating profit by segment of business
Segments operating profit	$ 2,657		$ 3,538		$ 7,788		$ 8,264
Percent Change	(24.90%)				(5.80%)
Worldwide income before taxes	2,035		3,422		7,080		7,932
Worldwide total, percent total	(40.50%)				(10.70%)
Consumer [Member]
Operating profit by segment of business
Segments operating profit	267	[1]	549	[1]	729	[1]	1,122	[1]
Percent Change	(51.40%)	[1]			(35.00%)	[1]
Pharmaceutical [Member]
Operating profit by segment of business
Segments operating profit	515	[2]	1,714	[2]	3,106	[2]	3,923	[2]
Percent Change	(70.00%)	[2]			(20.80%)	[2]
Medical Devices and Diagnostics [Member]
Operating profit by segment of business
Segments operating profit	1,875	[3]	1,275	[3]	3,953	[3]	3,219	[3]
Percent Change	47.10%	[3]			22.80%	[3]
Expense not allocated to segments [Member]
Operating profit by segment of business
Segments operating profit	$ (622)	[4]	$ (116)	[4]	$ (708)	[4]	$ (332)	[4]

[1] Includes intangible asset write-downs of $294 million recorded in the fiscal second quarter and the first fiscal six months of 2012.

[2] Includes litigation expense of $658 million, intangible asset write-downs of $499 million and in-process research and development charges of $429 million recorded in the fiscal second quarter and the first fiscal six months of 2012. Includes litigation expense of $290 million and $540 million recorded in the fiscal second quarter and the first fiscal six months of 2011, respectively.

[3] Includes Synthes integration/transaction costs of $192 million and $223 million recorded in the fiscal second quarter and the first fiscal six months of 2012, respectively. Includes intangible asset write-downs of $146 million recorded in the fiscal second quarter and the first fiscal six months of 2012. Includes restructuring expense of $676 million recorded in the fiscal second quarter and the first fiscal six months of 2011. Includes litigation expense of $25 million and ASRTM Hip related costs of $102 million recorded in the fiscal second quarter of 2011. Includes litigation expense of $36 million and ASRTM Hip related costs of $187 million recorded in the first fiscal six months of 2011.

[4] Amounts not allocated to segments include interest income/(expense), non-controlling interests and general corporate income/expense. Includes currency losses related to the Synthes acquisition of $382 million and $234 million recorded in the fiscal second quarter and the first fiscal six months of 2012, respectively, and litigation expense of $11 million recorded in the fiscal second quarter and the first fiscal six months of 2012, respectively. Includes a currency gain of $102 million related to the Synthes acquisition recorded in the fiscal second quarter and the first fiscal six months of 2011.