Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 27, 2012	Jul. 29, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 4,008	$ 3,946
Costs and expenses:
Cost of products sold	973	951
Research and development expense	385	362
Selling, general, and administrative expense	1,405	1,380
Acquisition-related items	5	8
Amortization of intangible assets	80	86
Other expense, net	39	109
Interest expense, net	33	32
Total costs and expenses	2,920	2,928
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	1,088	1,018
Provision for income taxes	224	199
Earnings from continuing operations	864	819
Discontinued operations, net of tax:
Earnings from operations of Physio-Control	0	5
Physio-Control divestiture-related costs	0	(3)
Earnings from discontinued operations	0	2
Net earnings	$ 864	$ 821
Basic earnings per share:
Earnings from continuing operations	$ 0.84	$ 0.77
Net earnings	$ 0.84	$ 0.77
Diluted earnings per share:
Earnings from continuing operations	$ 0.83	$ 0.77
Net earnings	$ 0.83	$ 0.77
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	1,029.8	1,063.5
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	1,037.1	1,069.6
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.2600	$ 0.2425