Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Jan. 27, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
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. As of January 27, 2012, the results of operations, assets, and liabilities of the Physio-Control business, which were previously presented as a component of the Cardiac and Vascular Group operating segment, are being classified as discontinued operations. All information in the following notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements includes only results from continuing operations (excluding Physio-Control) for all periods presented, unless otherwise noted. For further information regarding discontinued operations, see Note 3.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Jan. 27, 2012

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.

As of January 27, 2012, the results of operations, assets, and liabilities of the Physio-Control business, which were previously presented as a component of the Cardiac and Vascular Group operating segment, are being classified as discontinued operations. All information in the following notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements includes only results from continuing operations (excluding Physio-Control) for all periods presented, unless otherwise noted. For further information regarding discontinued operations, see Note 3.