Special (Gains) Charges and Certain Litigation Charges, Net

9 Months Ended

Jan. 23, 2015

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Special (Gains) Charges and Certain Litigation Charges, Net

Special (Gains) Charges and Certain Litigation Charges, Net

Special (Gains) Charges

During the three months ended January 23, 2015, the Company recognized a $138 million gain, which consisted of a $41 million gain on the sale of a product line in the Surgical Technologies division and a $97 million gain on the sale of an equity method investment. In addition, during the nine months ended January 23, 2015, continuing the Company's commitment to improving the health of people and communities throughout the world, the Company made a $100 million charitable cash contribution to meet the multi-year funding needs of the Medtronic Foundation, a related party non-profit organization.

During the three months ended January 24, 2014, there were no special (gains) charges. During the nine months ended January 24, 2014, the Company made a $40 million charitable contribution to the Medtronic Foundation.

Certain Litigation Charges, Net

The Company classifies material litigation reserves and gains recognized as certain litigation charges, net. During the three and nine months ended January 23, 2015, there were no certain litigation charges.

During the three months ended January 24, 2014, there were no certain litigation charges. During the nine months ended January 24, 2014, the Company recorded certain litigation charges, net of $24 million, which included $12 million related to patent litigation and $12 million related to Other Matters litigation.