- Definition

Amount related to material litigation reserves and gains recognized in the period in the statement of earnings. Excludes the amount of expense provided in the period for legal fees.

+ Details

Name:	mdt_CertainLitigationCharges
Namespace Prefix:	mdt
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Contingencies Line Items

+ Details

Name:	mdt_ContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	mdt
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Lawsuits consolidated for pretrial proceedings before a single federal judge.

+ Details

Name:	mdt_LawsuitsForPretrialProceedings
Namespace Prefix:	mdt
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the number of lawsuits that have been filed against Medtronic.

+ Details

Name:	mdt_LitigationLawsuitsFiled
Namespace Prefix:	mdt
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total number of litigation lawsuits filed and unfiled against entity.

+ Details

Name:	mdt_LitigationLawsuitsFiledAndUnfiled
Namespace Prefix:	mdt
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the number of individual personal injury cases

+ Details

Name:	mdt_LitigationPersonalInjuryCases
Namespace Prefix:	mdt
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the number of putative class action suits filed

+ Details

Name:	mdt_LitigationPutativeClassAction
Namespace Prefix:	mdt
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the amount of disputed royalties and interest

+ Details

Name:	mdt_LitigationRoyaltiesDispute
Namespace Prefix:	mdt
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the total lost profit and royalty damages that a jury awarded.

+ Details

Name:	mdt_LitigationRoyaltyAward
Namespace Prefix:	mdt
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the number of lawsuits that have commenced in state court.

+ Details

Name:	mdt_LitigationStateCourtCommencedSuits
Namespace Prefix:	mdt
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the gross amount awarded, to be received by, or to be remitted to the entity in settlement of litigation occurring during the period.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationSettlementGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2011	Jul. 30, 2010	Apr. 29, 2011 Sprint Fidelis [Member] Lawsuits ClassActionSuits PersonalInjuryCases	Jul. 29, 2011 Mirowski [Member]	Apr. 01, 2010 Edwards [Member]	Apr. 29, 2011 Office Of Inspector General District Of Minnesota [Member]
Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation Royalties Dispute				$ 116
Litigation Royalty Award					74
Litigation Lawsuits Filed			4,000
Litigation Personal Injury Cases			9,000
Litigation Putative Class Action			47
Litigation State Court Commenced Suits			2,800
Certain Litigation Charges			221			24
Lawsuits For Pretrial Proceedings			1,200
Litigation Settlement Gross			$ 221
Litigation Lawsuits Filed And Unfiled			14,000