Fair Value Measurements And Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified																																	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012 Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member] Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member] Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member] Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member] Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member] Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member] Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Other Current Assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Current Assets [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Other Current Assets [Member] Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Current Assets [Member] Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Other Current Assets [Member] Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Current Assets [Member] Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Other Current Assets [Member] Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Current Assets [Member] Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Other Assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Assets [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Other Assets [Member] Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Assets [Member] Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Other Assets [Member] Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Assets [Member] Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Other Assets [Member] Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Assets [Member] Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Intangible Asset Charges [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Neuromodulation [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Neuromodulation [Member] Intangible Asset Charges [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Cardiac Rhythm Management [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 CV/AF [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 CV/AF [Member] Intangible Asset Charges [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 CV/AF [Member] Intangible Asset Charges [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 2011 Restructuring Plan [Member] Fixed Asset Charges [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 2011 Restructuring Plan [Member] Cardiac Rhythm Management [Member] Fixed Asset Charges [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Money-market securities									$ 866	$ 745	$ 866	$ 745	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Available-for-sale securities	42	39															42	39	42	39	0	0	0	0
Trading securities																									228	205	228	205	0	0	0	0
Interest rate swap, assets		18																								18		0		18		0
Total assets	1,136	1,007	1,136	989	0	18	0	0
Impairment charges																																								26	12
Estimated fair value after write-down																																		3		13	4
Intangible asset impairment charges																																	52		23			5	5
Fair Value, Estimate Not Practicable, Cost Method Investments	144	128
Aggregate fair value, fixed-rate debt obligations	2,563
Aggregate carrying value, fixed-rate debt obligations	2,439
Aggregate carrying value, other debt obligations	$ 84