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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2012
Dec. 31, 2014
reportablesegments
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
reportablesegments
reportingunits
Jun. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]                            
Goodwill                   $ 5,898,000,000us-gaap_Goodwill $ 5,693,000,000us-gaap_Goodwill $ 5,973,000,000us-gaap_Goodwill   $ 5,898,000,000us-gaap_Goodwill
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross                   9,800,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross 9,630,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross     9,800,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization                   (4,572,000,000)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization (4,147,000,000)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization     (4,572,000,000)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss                   (9,900,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss (9,900,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss (9,477,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss   (9,900,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Goodwill impairment charges         423,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss   3,602,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss   748,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss 0us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss 423,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss 4,350,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss    
Goodwill, Impairment Loss, Net of Tax         421,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLossNetOfTax   3,579,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLossNetOfTax              
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)                   5,606,000,000us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill 5,950,000,000us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill 6,289,000,000us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill   5,606,000,000us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments                   (8,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments 3,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments      
Goodwill, Acquired During Period                   213,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod 140,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod      
Goodwill, Other Changes                   0us-gaap_GoodwillOtherChanges        
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Other intangible asset charges 12,000,000us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill         13,000,000us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill 129,000,000us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill     195,000,000us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill 53,000,000us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill 142,000,000us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill    
Asset Impairment Charges   110,000,000us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges 55,000,000us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges             195,000,000us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges 476,000,000us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges      
Goodwill, Gross                   15,798,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillGross 15,593,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillGross     15,798,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillGross
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, accumulated write-offs                   (9,900,000,000)bsx_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedWriteOffs (9,900,000,000)bsx_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedWriteOffs     (9,900,000,000)bsx_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedWriteOffs
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill                   15,995,000,000bsx_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsIncludingGoodwill 15,790,000,000bsx_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsIncludingGoodwill     15,995,000,000bsx_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsIncludingGoodwill
Future Amortization Expense, Year One                   470,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseNextTwelveMonths       470,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseNextTwelveMonths
Future Amortization Expense, Year Two                   469,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo       469,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo
Future Amortization Expense, Year Three                   467,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree       467,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree
Future Amortization Expense, Year Four                   464,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour       464,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour
Future Amortization Expense, Year Five                   460,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive       460,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive
Number of Reportable Segments                   3us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments        
Number of U.S. reporting units                       6bsx_NumberOfUSReportingUnits    
Number of international reporting units                       4bsx_NumberOfInternationalReportingUnits    
International goodwill as of 12/31/12 that was reallocated to global divisions                       1,764,000,000bsx_InternationalGoodwillAsOf123112ThatWasReallocatedToGlobalDivisions    
US CV goodwill as of 12/31/12 that was reallocated to IC and PI global divisions                       2,380,000,000bsx_UsCvGoodwillAsOf123112ThatWasReallocatedToIcAndPiGlobalDivisions    
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate               1.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate            
In process research and development 16,000,000bsx_Inprocessresearchanddevelopment 83,000,000bsx_Inprocessresearchanddevelopment 6,000,000bsx_Inprocessresearchanddevelopment 178,000,000bsx_Inprocessresearchanddevelopment   26,000,000bsx_Inprocessresearchanddevelopment 184,000,000bsx_Inprocessresearchanddevelopment              
Core technology   8,000,000bsx_Coretechnology 64,000,000bsx_Coretechnology                      
Electrophysiology [Member]                            
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Hypothetical change in WACC                         0.50%bsx_HypotheticalChangeInWacc
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_ElectrophysiologyMember		  
Hypothetical change in revenue growth rates                         1.00%bsx_HypotheticalChangeInRevenueGrowthRates
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_ElectrophysiologyMember		  
Neuromodulation [Member]                            
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Hypothetical change in WACC                         1.00%bsx_HypotheticalChangeInWacc
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_NeuromodulationMember		  
Hypothetical change in revenue growth rates                         1.50%bsx_HypotheticalChangeInRevenueGrowthRates
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_NeuromodulationMember		  
Cardiovascular [Member]                            
Goodwill [Line Items]                            
Goodwill                   3,426,000,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_CardiovascularMember		 3,252,000,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_CardiovascularMember		 3,249,000,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_CardiovascularMember		   3,426,000,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_CardiovascularMember
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss                   (1,479,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_CardiovascularMember		 (1,479,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_CardiovascularMember		 (1,479,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_CardiovascularMember		   (1,479,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_CardiovascularMember
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Goodwill impairment charges                   0us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_CardiovascularMember		 0us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_CardiovascularMember		      
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments                   (2,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_CardiovascularMember		 3,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_CardiovascularMember		      
Goodwill, Acquired During Period                   169,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_CardiovascularMember		 0us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_CardiovascularMember		      
Goodwill, Other Changes                   7,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillOtherChanges
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_CardiovascularMember		        
Rhythm Management [Member]                            
Goodwill [Line Items]                            
Goodwill                   290,000,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_RhythmManagementMember		 294,000,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_RhythmManagementMember		 577,000,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_RhythmManagementMember		   290,000,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_RhythmManagementMember
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss                   (6,960,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_RhythmManagementMember		 (6,960,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_RhythmManagementMember		 (6,537,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_RhythmManagementMember		   (6,960,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_RhythmManagementMember
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Goodwill impairment charges                   0us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_RhythmManagementMember		 (423,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_RhythmManagementMember		      
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments                   (4,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_RhythmManagementMember		 0us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_RhythmManagementMember		      
Goodwill, Acquired During Period                   0us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_RhythmManagementMember		 140,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_RhythmManagementMember		      
Goodwill, Other Changes                   0us-gaap_GoodwillOtherChanges
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_RhythmManagementMember		        
MedSurg [Member]                            
Goodwill [Line Items]                            
Goodwill                   2,182,000,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_MedsurgMember		 2,147,000,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_MedsurgMember		 2,147,000,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_MedsurgMember		   2,182,000,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_MedsurgMember
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss                   (1,461,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_MedsurgMember		 (1,461,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_MedsurgMember		 (1,461,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_MedsurgMember		   (1,461,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_MedsurgMember
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Goodwill impairment charges                   0us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_MedsurgMember		 0us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_MedsurgMember		      
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments                   (2,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_MedsurgMember		 0us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_MedsurgMember		      
Goodwill, Acquired During Period                   44,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_MedsurgMember		 0us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_MedsurgMember		      
Goodwill, Other Changes                   (7,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillOtherChanges
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_MedsurgMember		        
Neuromodulation [Member]                            
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Level Of Excess Fair Value Over Carrying Value For Reporting Unit   55.00%us-gaap_ReportingUnitPercentageOfFairValueInExcessOfCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_GlobalNeuromodulationReportingUnitMember		                     55.00%us-gaap_ReportingUnitPercentageOfFairValueInExcessOfCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_GlobalNeuromodulationReportingUnitMember		  
Allocated Goodwill                         1,356,000,000bsx_AllocatedGoodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_GlobalNeuromodulationReportingUnitMember		  
U.S. CRM Reporting Unit [Member]                            
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Fair Value Inputs, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate                 2.50%us-gaap_FairValueInputsLongTermRevenueGrowthRate
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_USCrmReportingUnitMember		          
Global Electrophysiology (EP) Reporting Unit [Member]                            
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Level Of Excess Fair Value Over Carrying Value For Reporting Unit   38.00%us-gaap_ReportingUnitPercentageOfFairValueInExcessOfCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_GlobalElectrophysiologyEpReportingUnitMember		               26.00%us-gaap_ReportingUnitPercentageOfFairValueInExcessOfCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_GlobalElectrophysiologyEpReportingUnitMember		     38.00%us-gaap_ReportingUnitPercentageOfFairValueInExcessOfCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_GlobalElectrophysiologyEpReportingUnitMember		 26.00%us-gaap_ReportingUnitPercentageOfFairValueInExcessOfCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_GlobalElectrophysiologyEpReportingUnitMember
Allocated Goodwill                         292,000,000bsx_AllocatedGoodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bsx_GlobalElectrophysiologyEpReportingUnitMember		  
Technology-related [Member]                            
Goodwill [Line Items]                            
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross                   8,406,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_TechnologyRelatedMember		 8,272,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_TechnologyRelatedMember		     8,406,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_TechnologyRelatedMember
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization                   (3,697,000,000)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_TechnologyRelatedMember		 (3,342,000,000)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_TechnologyRelatedMember		     (3,697,000,000)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_TechnologyRelatedMember
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Other intangible asset charges                   107,000,000us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_TechnologyRelatedMember		 0us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_TechnologyRelatedMember		 0us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_TechnologyRelatedMember		    
Patents [Member]                            
Goodwill [Line Items]                            
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross                   519,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_PatentsMember		 513,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_PatentsMember		     519,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_PatentsMember
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization                   (342,000,000)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_PatentsMember		 (326,000,000)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_PatentsMember		     (342,000,000)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_PatentsMember
Other Intangible Assets [Member]                            
Goodwill [Line Items]                            
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross                   875,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember		 845,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember		     875,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization                   (533,000,000)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember		 (479,000,000)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember		     (533,000,000)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
Purchased research and development [Member]                            
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Other intangible asset charges                   88,000,000us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_PurchasedResearchAndDevelopmentMember		 53,000,000us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_PurchasedResearchAndDevelopmentMember		 142,000,000us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_PurchasedResearchAndDevelopmentMember		    
Global CRM Reporting Unit [Member]                            
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net                   4,097,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_GlobalCrmReportingUnitMember		       4,097,000,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_GlobalCrmReportingUnitMember
Technology Core [Member]                            
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)                   197,000,000us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_TechnologyRelatedMember		 197,000,000us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_TechnologyRelatedMember		     197,000,000us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_TechnologyRelatedMember
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, accumulated write-offs                   0bsx_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedWriteOffs
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_TechnologyRelatedMember		 0bsx_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedWriteOffs
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_TechnologyRelatedMember		     0bsx_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedWriteOffs
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_TechnologyRelatedMember
Purchased research and development [Member]                            
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)                   181,000,000us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_PurchasedResearchAndDevelopmentMember		 270,000,000us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_PurchasedResearchAndDevelopmentMember		     181,000,000us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= bsx_PurchasedResearchAndDevelopmentMember
Sadra Medical Inc [Member]                            
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Other intangible asset charges       51,000,000us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= bsx_SadraMedicalIncMember		                    
2011 Acquisitions, excluding Sadra [Member]                            
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Other intangible asset charges       2,000,000us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= bsx_A2011AcquisitionsexcludingSadraMember		                    
In Process Research and Development [Member]                            
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Other intangible asset charges 4,000,000us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ bsx_IntangibleAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember		                         18,000,000us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ bsx_IntangibleAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate     20.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ bsx_IntangibleAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember		 16.50%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ bsx_IntangibleAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember		     20.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ bsx_IntangibleAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember		              
IPR&D that was impaired [Member]                            
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill), Fair Value Disclosure                   0us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillFairValueDisclosure
/ bsx_IntangibleAssetsAxis
= bsx_IPRDthatwasimpairedMember		       0us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillFairValueDisclosure
/ bsx_IntangibleAssetsAxis
= bsx_IPRDthatwasimpairedMember
Core technology [Member]                            
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Other intangible asset charges 8,000,000us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ bsx_IntangibleAssetsAxis
= bsx_CoretechnologyMember		                          
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate   15.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ bsx_IntangibleAssetsAxis
= bsx_CoretechnologyMember		 15.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ bsx_IntangibleAssetsAxis
= bsx_CoretechnologyMember		                      
Minimum [Member] | In Process Research and Development [Member]                            
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate 16.50%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ bsx_IntangibleAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember		 16.50%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ bsx_IntangibleAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember		       20.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ bsx_IntangibleAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember		                
Maximum [Member] | In Process Research and Development [Member]                            
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate 20.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ bsx_IntangibleAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember		 20.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ bsx_IntangibleAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember		       25.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ bsx_IntangibleAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember		                
Vessix Charges [Member]                            
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Asset Impairment Charges   67,000,000us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
/ bsx_ImpairmentChargesAxis
= bsx_VessixChargesMember		                        
Other In-process Research and Development Project Charges [Member]                            
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Asset Impairment Charges   8,000,000us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
/ bsx_ImpairmentChargesAxis
= bsx_OtherInprocessResearchandDevelopmentProjectChargesMember		                        
Atritech Charges [Member]                            
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]                            
Asset Impairment Charges   $ 35,000,000us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
/ bsx_ImpairmentChargesAxis
= bsx_AtritechChargesMember