Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
Jul. 29, 2011
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	Note 1 – Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S.) (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows in conformity with U.S. GAAP. In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of Medtronic, Inc. and its subsidiaries (Medtronic or the Company) for the periods presented. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the fiscal year as a whole. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and the related disclosures at the date of the financial statements and during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 29, 2011. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, the Company revised its accounting policies to incorporate the updated revenue recognition accounting guidance relating to the accounting for revenue arrangements that involve more than one deliverable or unit of accounting. The updated guidance requires companies to allocate arrangement considerations in multiple deliverable arrangements in a manner that better reflects the economics of the transaction by revising certain thresholds for separation, and providing criteria for allocation of revenue among deliverables. The Company elected to adopt the provisions prospectively to new or materially modified arrangements beginning on the effective date. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company's fiscal years 2012, 2011, and 2010 will end or ended on April 27, 2012, April 29, 2011, and April 30, 2010, respectively.

Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Jul. 29, 2011

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S.) (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows in conformity with U.S. GAAP. In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of Medtronic, Inc. and its subsidiaries (Medtronic or the Company) for the periods presented. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the fiscal year as a whole. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and the related disclosures at the date of the financial statements and during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 29, 2011.

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, the Company revised its accounting policies to incorporate the updated revenue recognition accounting guidance relating to the accounting for revenue arrangements that involve more than one deliverable or unit of accounting. The updated guidance requires companies to allocate arrangement considerations in multiple deliverable arrangements in a manner that better reflects the economics of the transaction by revising certain thresholds for separation, and providing criteria for allocation of revenue among deliverables. The Company elected to adopt the provisions prospectively to new or materially modified arrangements beginning on the effective date. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

The Company's fiscal years 2012, 2011, and 2010 will end or ended on April 27, 2012, April 29, 2011, and April 30, 2010, respectively.

- Definition

Description containing the entire organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure. May be provided in more than one note to the financial statements, as long as users are provided with an understanding of (1) the significant judgments and assumptions made by an enterprise in determining whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement with a VIE, (2) the nature of restrictions on a consolidated VIE's assets reported by an enterprise in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets, (3) the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with an enterprise's involvement with the VIE, and (4) how an enterprise's involvement with the VIE affects the enterprise's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Describes procedure if disclosures are provided in more than one note to the financial statements.

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