Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Property, plant and equipment (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 15 years to 39 years for buildings and improvements, three to 15 years for machinery and equipment, including capitalized development costs for internal-use software, and three to seven years for diagnostic equipment. Diagnostic equipment primarily consists of programmers that are used by physicians and healthcare professionals to program and analyze data from ICDs and pacemakers. Diagnostic equipment also includes other capital equipment provided by the Company to its customers for use in diagnostic and surgical procedures. The estimated useful lives of this equipment are based on anticipated usage by physicians and healthcare professionals and the timing and impact of expected new technology platforms and rollouts by the Company. The Company also reviews its property, plant and equipment for impairment when impairment indicators exist. When impairment indicators exist, the Company determines if the carrying value of its fixed asset(s) exceeds the related undiscounted future cash flows. In cases where the carrying value of the Company's long-lived assets or asset groups (excluding goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets) exceeds the related undiscounted cash flows, the carrying value is written down to fair value. See Note 11 for further information on fixed asset impairments recognized during 2014, 2013 and 2012.