Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 27, 2012	Oct. 28, 2011	Jul. 29, 2011	Jan. 27, 2012	Apr. 27, 2012	Apr. 29, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010	Jan. 30, 2012	Jan. 30, 2012 Physio-Control	Apr. 27, 2012 Physio-Control	Apr. 29, 2011 Physio-Control	Apr. 30, 2010 Physio-Control
Discontinued Operations
Net assets					$ 17,113	$ 15,798			$ 164
Proceeds from divestiture of Physio-Control					386	0	0		386
Transaction value									405
Working capital adjustment									19
Summary of Operating Results from Discontinued Operations before Tax
Net sales										323	425	425
Earnings from operations of Physio-Control										48	64	25
Physio-Control divestiture-related costs										(42)	(2)	0
Gain on sale of Physio-Control					218	0	0			218	0	0
Income tax expense										(22)	(21)	(9)
Earnings from discontinued operations					202	41	16			202	41	16
Deferred income tax benefit in discontinued operations	(84)			(84)
Reclassification of divestiture related costs from continuing operations to discontinued operations		12	12
ASSETS
U.S. accounts receivable, net						63		47
Inventories						77		71
Deferred tax asset, net						20		25
Prepaid expenses and other assets						6		13
Property, plant and equipment, net						23		28
Goodwill						18		22
Other intangible assets, net						51		45
Total assets held for sale						258		251
LIABILITIES
Accrued payable and other accrued expenses						64		63
Accrued compensation						21		22
Deferred tax liabilities, net						3		2
Total liabilities held for sale						$ 88		$ 87