Goodwill and intangible assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of goodwill

Changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill were as follows (in millions):

	Years ended December 31,
	2017		2016
Beginning balance	$	14,751	$	14,787
Goodwill related to acquisitions of businesses	—		2
Currency translation adjustments	10		(38		)
Ending balance	$	14,761	$	14,751

Schedule of identifiable intangible assets

Other intangible assets consisted of the following (in millions):

	December 31,
	2017							2016
	Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization			Other intangible assets, net		Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization			Other intangible assets, net
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Developed product technology rights	$	12,589	$	(6,796	)	$	5,793	$	12,534	$	(5,947	)	$	6,587
Licensing rights	3,275		(1,601		)	1,674		3,275		(1,300		)	1,975
Marketing-related rights	1,319		(920		)	399		1,333		(793		)	540
R&D technology rights	1,161		(804		)	357		1,122		(704		)	418
Total finite-lived intangible assets	18,344		(10,121		)	8,223		18,264		(8,744		)	9,520
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
IPR&D	386		—			386		759		—			759
Total other intangible assets	$	18,730	$	(10,121	)	$	8,609	$	19,023	$	(8,744	)	$	10,279