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Derivatives and Foreign Exchange Risk Management, Freestanding Derivative Forward Contracts and Cash Flow Hedges (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 23, 2015
Jan. 24, 2014
Jan. 23, 2015
Jan. 24, 2014
Apr. 25, 2014
Cash Flow Hedges          
After-tax net unrealized (losses)/gains associated with cash flow hedging instruments recorded in AOCI $ 178mdt_UnrealizedGainLossOnInterestRateCashFlowHedgesAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax   $ 178mdt_UnrealizedGainLossOnInterestRateCashFlowHedgesAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax   (44)mdt_UnrealizedGainLossOnInterestRateCashFlowHedgesAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
Cash flow hedge unrealized gains to be reclassified over the next 12 months 175us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths        
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Contracts          
Freestanding Derivative Forward Contracts          
Derivative, notional amount 6,121invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
  6,121invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
  8,051invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
Cash Flow Hedges          
Derivative, notional amount 6,121invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
  6,121invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
  8,051invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
Interest Rate Swap          
Cash Flow Hedges          
Weighted average fixed rate of interest rate derivatives, contracts entered into during the period 2.94%mdt_DerivativeAverageFixedInterestRateContractsEnteredIntoDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
       
Weighted average fixed rate of interest rate derivatives 2.99%us-gaap_DerivativeAverageFixedInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
  2.99%us-gaap_DerivativeAverageFixedInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
   
Unrealized gain (loss) on outstanding forward starting interest rate swap derivative instruments (73)mdt_UnrealizedGainLossOnCashFlowHedgingInstruments1
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
  (73)mdt_UnrealizedGainLossOnCashFlowHedgingInstruments1
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
  7mdt_UnrealizedGainLossOnCashFlowHedgingInstruments1
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Other Expense, Net | Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Contracts          
Freestanding Derivative Forward Contracts          
Gain (loss) on foreign currency derivatives not designated as hedging instruments 153us-gaap_GainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherExpenseMember
75us-gaap_GainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments
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= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherExpenseMember
202us-gaap_GainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments
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= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
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= us-gaap_OtherExpenseMember
58us-gaap_GainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments
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= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherExpenseMember
 
Cash Flow Hedging          
Cash Flow Hedges          
Maximum remaining maturity of foreign currency derivatives 2 years       3 years
Gross gains (losses) recognized in OCI on effective portion of derivative 265us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
80us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
556us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
(74)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
 
Effective portion of gains (losses) on derivatives reclassified from AOCI into income 38us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
12us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
58us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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38us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
 
Cash Flow Hedging | Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Contracts          
Cash Flow Hedges          
Gross gains (losses) recognized in OCI on effective portion of derivative 265us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
80us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
556us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
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/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
(74)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
 
Cash Flow Hedging | Other Expense, Net | Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Contracts          
Cash Flow Hedges          
Effective portion of gains (losses) on derivatives reclassified from AOCI into income 65us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
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16us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherExpenseMember
86us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
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71us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
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/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherExpenseMember
 
Cash Flow Hedging | Cost of Products Sold | Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Contracts          
Cash Flow Hedges          
Effective portion of gains (losses) on derivatives reclassified from AOCI into income (27)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
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(4)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
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/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
(28)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
(33)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
 
Cash Flow Hedging | Interest Expense | Interest Rate Swap          
Cash Flow Hedges          
Effective portion of gains (losses) on derivatives reclassified from AOCI into income 4us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember
2us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
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/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember
8us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
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/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
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6us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember
 
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Contracts          
Freestanding Derivative Forward Contracts          
Derivative, notional amount 1,714invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
  1,714invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
  2,202invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
Cash Flow Hedges          
Derivative, notional amount 1,714invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
  1,714invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
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= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
  2,202invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
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/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
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Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging | Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Contracts          
Freestanding Derivative Forward Contracts          
Derivative, notional amount 4,407invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
  4,407invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
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/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
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  5,849invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
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= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
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Cash Flow Hedges          
Derivative, notional amount 4,407invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
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  4,407invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
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  5,849invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
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Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging | Interest Rate Swap          
Freestanding Derivative Forward Contracts          
Derivative, notional amount 800invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
  800invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
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/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
   
Cash Flow Hedges          
Derivative, notional amount 800invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
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  800invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
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= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
   
Derivative, notional amount, contracts entered into during the period 200mdt_DerivativeNotionalAmountContractsEnteredIntoDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
       
Senior Notes 2015 | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging | Interest Rate Swap          
Cash Flow Hedges          
Derivative, notional amount, contracts entered into during the period 4,775mdt_DerivativeNotionalAmountContractsEnteredIntoDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
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/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
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= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
       
Derivative, notional amount, contracts terminated during the period 5,850mdt_DerivativeNotionalAmountContractsTerminatedDuringThePeriod
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdt_SeniorNotes2015Member
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
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= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
       
Cash payment related to termination of derivatives $ 79mdt_PaymentsforDerivativeSettlements
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