Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Apr. 27, 2012

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill

	Cardiac and		Restorative
(in millions)	Vascular Group		Therapies Group		Total
Balance as of April 30, 2010	$	1,588	$	6,803	$	8,391
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions		1,028		33		1,061
Purchase accounting adjustments, net		25		4		29
Currency adjustment, net		21		18		39
Balance as of April 29, 2011	$	2,662	$	6,858	$	9,520
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions		-		404		404
Purchase accounting adjustments, net		6		38		44
Currency adjustment, net		(32)		(2)		(34)
Balance as of April 27, 2012	$	2,636	$	7,298	$	9,934

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class

	Purchased		Trademarks
	Technology and		and		Acquired
(in millions)	Patents		Tradenames		IPR&D		Other		Total
Amortizable intangible assets as of April 27, 2012:
Original cost	$	3,604	$	373	$	370	$	148	$	4,495
Accumulated amortization		(1,440)		(307)		-		(101)		(1,848)
Carrying value	$	2,164	$	66	$	370	$	47	$	2,647
Weighted average original life (in years)		12.6		10.3		N/A		9.6
Amortizable intangible assets as of April 29, 2011:
Original cost	$	3,509	$	373	$	338	$	149	$	4,369
Accumulated amortization		(1,261)		(290)		-		(93)		(1,644)
Carrying value	$	2,248	$	83	$	338	$	56	$	2,725
Weighted average original life (in years)		12.5		10.3		N/A		8.5

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense

(in millions)
Fiscal Year	Amortization
	Expense
2013	$	313
2014		303
2015		286
2016		275
2017		243
Thereafter		857
	$	2,277