The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 23, 2015	Jan. 24, 2014	Jan. 23, 2015	Jan. 24, 2014	Apr. 25, 2014
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Beginning balance			$ 10,593us-gaap_Goodwill
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions			453us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments			(15)
Currency adjustments, net			(81)us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAdjustments
Ending balance	10,950us-gaap_Goodwill		10,950us-gaap_Goodwill
Balance of intangible assets, excluding goodwill
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	4,830		4,830		4,584
Accumulated amortization	(2,491)		(2,491)		(2,298)
Carrying value	2,175us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet		2,175us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	2,339		2,339		2,286
Amortization expense	89us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	89us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	265us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	263us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Estimated aggregate amortization expense
Remaining 2015	96		96
2016	347		347
2017	325		325
2018	309		309
2019	265		265
2020	217		217
Thereafter	616		616
Purchased Technology and Patents
Balance of intangible assets, excluding goodwill
Original cost	3,947		3,947		3,857
Accumulated amortization	(2,086)		(2,086)		(1,878)
Carrying value	1,861		1,861		1,979
Trademarks and Tradenames
Balance of intangible assets, excluding goodwill
Original cost	426		426		408
Accumulated amortization	(343)		(343)		(332)
Carrying value	83		83		76
Other
Balance of intangible assets, excluding goodwill
Original cost	293		293		200
Accumulated amortization	(62)		(62)		(88)
Carrying value	231		231		112
Cardiac and Vascular Group
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Beginning balance			2,881
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions			234
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments			0
Currency adjustments, net			(47)
Ending balance	3,068		3,068
Restorative Therapies Group
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Beginning balance			6,368
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions			219
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments			(15)
Currency adjustments, net			(34)
Ending balance	6,538		6,538
Diabetes Group [Member]
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Beginning balance			1,344
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions			0
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments			0
Currency adjustments, net			0
Ending balance	1,344		1,344
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Balance of intangible assets, excluding goodwill
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 164		$ 164		$ 119