Weighted average amortization period of finite-lived intangible assets acquired either individually or as part of a group of assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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For contingent consideration arrangements and indemnification assets recognized in connection with a business combination, this element represents an estimate of the low-end of the potential range (undiscounted) of the consideration which may be paid.

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Amount due from customers or clients for goods or services, including trade receivables, that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business, and amounts due from others, including related parties expected to be converted to cash, sold or exchanged within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, acquired at the acquisition date.

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The amount of identifiable intangible assets recognized as of the acquisition date.

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The amount of inventory recognized as of the acquisition date.

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Amount of liabilities assumed at the acquisition date.

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Amount of other assets expected to be realized or consumed after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, acquired at the acquisition date.

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Amount recognized for assets, including goodwill, in excess of (less than) the aggregate liabilities assumed.

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Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase.

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Acquisitions (Allocation Of The Preliminary Purchase Price To The Acquired Net Assets Of Acquisitions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill				$ 8,563	$ 7,168	$ 6,356
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired				$ 2,451	$ 831	$ 4,332
Weighted average life of intangible assets				14 years	14 years
Customer relationship
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted average life of intangible assets				15 years	15 years
Developed technology and patents
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted average life of intangible assets				13 years	12 years
K2M
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts receivable				$ 67
Inventory				136
Other assets				118
Contingent consideration				0
Liabilities				(247)
Goodwill				$ 786
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	$ 1,380
Weighted average life of intangible assets				14 years
K2M \| Customer relationship
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets:				$ 34
K2M \| Distributor relationship
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets:				1
K2M \| Trade name
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets:				10
K2M \| Developed technology and patents
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets:				473
K2M \| Internally developed software
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets:				2
Entellus
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts receivable				17
Inventory				14
Other assets				72
Contingent consideration				(78)
Liabilities				(92)
Goodwill				$ 475
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		$ 697
Weighted average life of intangible assets				16 years
Entellus \| Customer relationship
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets:				$ 33
Entellus \| Distributor relationship
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets:				0
Entellus \| Trade name
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets:				0
Entellus \| Developed technology and patents
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets:				256
Entellus \| Internally developed software
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets:				$ 0
NOVADAQ
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts receivable					$ 11
Inventory					25
Other assets					7
Contingent consideration					0
Liabilities					(56)
Goodwill					527
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired			$ 674
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed, net					$ 674
Weighted average life of intangible assets					15 years
NOVADAQ \| Customer relationship
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets:					$ 18
NOVADAQ \| Distributor relationship
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets:					0
NOVADAQ \| Trade name
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets:					1
NOVADAQ \| Developed technology and patents
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets:					141
NOVADAQ \| Internally developed software
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets:					$ 0