Segment and Geographic Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Jul. 27, 2012	Jul. 29, 2011	Apr. 27, 2012
Segment Reporting Information
Net Sales	$ 4,008	$ 3,946
Earnings before Income Taxes by Reportable Segment
Reportable segments' earnings before income taxes	1,227	1,193
Acquisition-related items	(5)	(8)
Interest expense, net	(33)	(32)
Corporate	(101)	(135)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	1,088	1,018
Net Assets by Reportable Segment
Net assets of reportable segments	18,478		18,317
Short-term borrowings	(3,391)		(3,274)
Long-term debt	(7,386)		(7,359)
Corporate	9,554		9,429
Total net assets	17,255		17,113
Geographic Information
Net sales to external customers	4,008	3,946
United States
Geographic Information
Net sales to external customers	2,227	2,146
Europe and Canada
Geographic Information
Net sales to external customers	961	1,022
Asia Pacific
Geographic Information
Net sales to external customers	404	398
Other Foreign
Geographic Information
Net sales to external customers	416	380
Cardiac and Vascular Group
Segment Reporting Information
Net Sales	2,115	2,103
Earnings before Income Taxes by Reportable Segment
Reportable segments' earnings before income taxes	738	702
Net Assets by Reportable Segment
Net assets of reportable segments	7,057		7,004
Restorative Therapies Group
Segment Reporting Information
Net Sales	1,893	1,843
Earnings before Income Taxes by Reportable Segment
Reportable segments' earnings before income taxes	489	491
Net Assets by Reportable Segment
Net assets of reportable segments	$ 11,421		$ 11,313

Net assets and liabilities included in the statement of financial position of the reporting entity.

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Total assets pertaining to company's corporate operations.

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Corporate overhead expenses

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Net amount of interest expense or income. Interest expense includes the expense associated with the interest paid on outstanding borrowings, including short- and long-term instruments, and the amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts. Interest income includes interest earned on cash and cash equivalents, short- and long-term investments, the net realized gains or losses on the sale of available-for-sale securities, and the net realized and unrealized gains or losses on trading securities.

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The following items are included within acquisition-related items: For business combinations prior to FY09, the amount of the purchase price that is allocated to in-process research and development (IPR&D) was expensed in the period acquired. Similarly, for transactions other than a business combination, such as asset acquisitions, IPR&D is expensed in the period acquired. Additionally, the change in the fair value of the contingent milestone consideration for the reporting period and certain-related acquisition costs, such as banker fees, legal fees, severance, and other professional fees.

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Amount of income (loss) before income taxes for the reportable segments.

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the sum of short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations, which are due within one year (or one business cycle if longer).

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Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income or expense before Income or Loss from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

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Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer plus capital lease obligations due to be paid more than one year after the balance sheet date.

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Amount of revenue from external customers for the reportable segment. Such disclosure is presented if the amount is: (a) included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or loss.

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Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

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Amount of net assets (total assets less total liabilities) attributed to the reportable segment.

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