Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 reportingunits	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 reportingunits	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill [Line Items]
In process research and development associated with Sadra		$ 184
Discount rate used for measurement of fair value of Asthmax & Intelect IPR&D asset - Minimum	20.00%
In process research and development associated with Asthmax & Intelect	26					26
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(9,477)					(9,477)		(5,127)
Goodwill	5,724					5,724		9,761
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments						(1)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period						314
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	15,443					15,443		15,130
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(3,688)					(3,688)		(3,441)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	9,240					9,240		9,170
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, accumulated write-offs	(9,477)					(9,477)		(5,127)
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]
Goodwill impairment charge	(748)	(3,602)			(697)	(4,350)	(697)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	6,154					6,154		6,473
Number of reporting units with material goodwill at higher risk of failure of step one of impairment test	3					3
Goodwill, Impairment Loss, Net of Subsequent Adjustment		3,579
Other intangible asset charges	(13)	(129)	(9)	(12)		(142)	(21)
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment losses in period	761					4,492
Discount rate used for measurement of fair value of Sadra IPR&D asset		20.00%
Discount rate used for measurement of fair value of Asthmax & Intelect IPR&D asset - Maximum	25.00%
Intangible asset impairment charge, net of tax	10	110
U.S. CRM Reporting Unit [Member]
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]
Allocated Goodwill	216					216
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	3,347					3,347
U.S. Cardiovascular reporting unit [Member]
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]
Allocated Goodwill	2,352					2,352
U.S. Neuromodulation reporting unit [Member]
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]
Allocated Goodwill	1,266					1,266
Unclassified Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(9,477)					(9,477)		(5,127)
Goodwill, Gross	15,201					15,201		14,888
Technology Core [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	242					242		242
Purchased research and development [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	360					360		502
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(415)					(415)		(376)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	808					808		808
Patents [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(348)					(348)		(331)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	561					561		539
Technology Core [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,906)					(1,906)		(1,722)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	6,745					6,745		6,786
Technology Developed [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,019)					(1,019)		(1,012)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,126					1,126
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	4,684					4,684
Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross								1,037
United States [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(5,875)					(5,875)		(5,127)
Goodwill	4,102					4,102		4,667
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments						(1)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period						184
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]
Goodwill impairment charge						748
Segment, Geographical, Groups of Countries, Group One [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(3,602)					(3,602)
Goodwill Impairment Loss - US						748
Goodwill Impairment Loss - EMEA						3,602
Goodwill	497					497		4,004
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments						(2)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period						97
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]
Goodwill impairment charge						(3,602)
Allocated Goodwill	497					497
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	1,498					1,498
Japan [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	559					559		554
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments						(1)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period						6
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]
Goodwill impairment charge
Segment, Geographical, Groups of Countries, Group Two [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	566					566		536
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments						3
Goodwill, Acquired During Period						27
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]
Goodwill impairment charge