Changes In Carrying Amount Line Items

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- Definition

Estimated Aggregate Amortization Expense Abstract

+ Details

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- Definition

Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense Abstract

+ Details

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- Definition

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized after the fifth twelve-month period following the balance sheet date.

+ Details

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- Definition

Reflects net changes to the recorded value of goodwill for purchase accounting adjustments needed to revise the carrying amount of goodwill to fair value.

+ Details

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- Definition

Reflects net changes to the recorded value of goodwill for foreign currency translation adjustments needed to revise the carrying amount of goodwill to fair value.

+ Details

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- Definition

Schedule Of Finite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class Line Items

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- Definition

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 (used in) operations using the indirect method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a(2)

+ Details

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- Definition

The accumulated amount of amortization of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a(1)

+ Details

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- Definition

The aggregate estimated amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years for intangible assets subject to amortization.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a(3)

+ Details

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- Definition

Sum of the gross carrying amounts before accumulated amortization as of the balance sheet date of all intangible assets having statutory or estimated useful lives. The aggregate gross carrying amount (including any previously recognized impairment charges) of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a(1)

+ Details

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- Definition

The aggregate sum of gross carrying value of a major finite-lived intangible asset class, less accumulated amortization and any impairment charges. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a(1)

+ Details

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- Definition

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the fifth twelve-month period following the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a(3)

+ Details

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- Definition

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the fourth twelve-month period following the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a(3)

+ Details

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- Definition

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the twelve-month period following the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a(3)

+ Details

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- Definition

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the third twelve-month period following the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a(3)

+ Details

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- Definition

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the second twelve-month period following the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a(3)

+ Details

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to adoption of FAS 142 and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 43

+ Details

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- Definition

The aggregate amount of goodwill acquired in the period and allocated to the reportable segment. The value is stated at fair value based on the purchase price allocation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph e(1)

+ Details

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2011	Jul. 30, 2010	Apr. 29, 2011
Estimated Aggregate Amortization Expense [Abstract]
Remaining 2011	$ 214
2012	286
2013	274
2014	259
2015	247
Thereafter	1,078
Total	2,358
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Abstract]
Amortization Of Intangible Assets	88	82
Schedule Of Finite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Gross	4,385		4,426
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization	(1,690)		(1,649)
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Net	2,695		2,777
Changes In Carrying Amount [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	9,537
Goodwill, Ending Balance	9,541
Purchase accounting adjustments, net
Currency adjustments, net	4
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions
Purchased Technology And Patents [Member]
Schedule Of Finite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Gross	3,527		3,565
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization	(1,296)		(1,265)
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Net	2,231		2,300
Trademarks And Tradenames [Member]
Schedule Of Finite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Gross	373		373
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization	(299)		(290)
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Net	74		83
Acquired In Process Research And Development [Member]
Schedule Of Finite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Gross	337		338
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Net	337		338
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Schedule Of Finite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Gross	148		150
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization	(95)		(94)
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Net	53		56
Cardiac and Vascular Group [Member]
Changes In Carrying Amount [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	2,679
Goodwill, Ending Balance	2,677
Purchase accounting adjustments, net	0
Currency adjustments, net	(2)
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions	0
Restorative Therapies Group [Member]
Changes In Carrying Amount [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	6,858
Goodwill, Ending Balance	6,864
Purchase accounting adjustments, net	0
Currency adjustments, net	6
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions	$ 0