Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2011	Oct. 29, 2010	Oct. 28, 2011	Oct. 29, 2010
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 4,132	$ 3,903	$ 8,181	$ 7,677
Costs and expenses:
Cost of products sold	1,014	961	2,020	1,855
Research and development expense	379	373	750	743
Selling, general, and administrative expense	1,437	1,371	2,845	2,705
Certain litigation charges, net	0	279	0	279
Acquisition-related items	(17)	24	(4)	39
Amortization of intangible assets	86	85	174	167
Other expense (income)	142	(9)	251	(44)
Interest expense, net	38	67	70	141
Total costs and expenses	3,079	3,151	6,106	5,885
Earnings before income taxes	1,053	752	2,075	1,792
Provision for income taxes	182	186	383	396
Net earnings	$ 871	$ 566	$ 1,692	$ 1,396
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.82	$ 0.52	$ 1.60	$ 1.29
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.82	$ 0.52	$ 1.59	$ 1.28
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	1,058.1	1,080.1	1,060.6	1,083.1
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	1,063.1	1,083.7	1,066.2	1,086.7
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.2425	$ 0.2250	$ 0.4850	$ 0.4500