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Restructuring Related Activities (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 44 Months Ended 18 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]          
Restructuring Charges Incurred to Date     $ 351bsx_RestructuringChargesIncurredToDate    
Restructuring-related Costs Incurred to Date     103bsx_RestructuringRelatedCostsIncurredToDate    
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 454us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1   454us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 454us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1  
Payments for Restructuring (26)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring   (406)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring    
Restructuring Related Expenses 16bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses 8bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses      
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 22us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost 28us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost      
Restructuring Charges 6us-gaap_RestructuringCharges 20us-gaap_RestructuringCharges      
2014 Restructuring plan [Member]          
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]          
Restructuring Charges Incurred to Date       104bsx_RestructuringChargesIncurredToDate
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Restructuring-related Costs Incurred to Date       64bsx_RestructuringRelatedCostsIncurredToDate
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Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 168us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1
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Payments for Restructuring (26)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
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Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 25us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
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23us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
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2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]          
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]          
Restructuring Charges Incurred to Date     247bsx_RestructuringChargesIncurredToDate
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Restructuring-related Costs Incurred to Date     39bsx_RestructuringRelatedCostsIncurredToDate
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Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
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286us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1
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Payments for Restructuring 0us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
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  (287)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
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Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost (3)us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
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Termination Benefits [Member]          
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]          
Restructuring Reserve 38us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
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Restructuring Charges Incurred to Date     213bsx_RestructuringChargesIncurredToDate
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Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Payments for Restructuring (9)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
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Restructuring Related Expenses 0bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
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0bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
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Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 5us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
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11us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
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Restructuring Charges 5us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
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Termination Benefits [Member] | 2014 Restructuring plan [Member]          
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]          
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Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Payments for Restructuring (9)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
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Restructuring Charges 8us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
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Termination Benefits [Member] | 2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]          
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]          
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Restructuring Charges Incurred to Date     135bsx_RestructuringChargesIncurredToDate
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Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Payments for Restructuring 0us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
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Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost (3)us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
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Restructuring Charges (3)us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
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Accelerated depreciation [Member]          
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]          
Restructuring-related Costs Incurred to Date     11bsx_RestructuringRelatedCostsIncurredToDate
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Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring Related Expenses 1bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
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Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 1us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
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Restructuring Charges 0us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
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Accelerated depreciation [Member] | 2014 Restructuring plan [Member]          
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]          
Restructuring-related Costs Incurred to Date       6bsx_RestructuringRelatedCostsIncurredToDate
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Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 1us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
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Accelerated depreciation [Member] | 2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]          
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]          
Restructuring-related Costs Incurred to Date     5bsx_RestructuringRelatedCostsIncurredToDate
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Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 0us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
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Transfer costs [Member]          
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]          
Restructuring-related Costs Incurred to Date     32bsx_RestructuringRelatedCostsIncurredToDate
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Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Payments for Restructuring (8)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
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Restructuring Related Expenses 8bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
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Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 8us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
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Restructuring Charges 0us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
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Transfer costs [Member] | 2014 Restructuring plan [Member]          
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]          
Restructuring-related Costs Incurred to Date       32bsx_RestructuringRelatedCostsIncurredToDate
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Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Payments for Restructuring (8)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
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Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 8us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
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Transfer costs [Member] | 2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]          
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]          
Restructuring-related Costs Incurred to Date     0bsx_RestructuringRelatedCostsIncurredToDate
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Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Payments for Restructuring 0us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
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Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 0us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
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Impairment of an asset in value [Member]          
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]          
Restructuring Charges Incurred to Date     (1)bsx_RestructuringChargesIncurredToDate
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Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring Related Expenses 0bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
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Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 0us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
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Restructuring Charges 0us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
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Impairment of an asset in value [Member] | 2014 Restructuring plan [Member]          
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]          
Restructuring Charges Incurred to Date       0bsx_RestructuringChargesIncurredToDate
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Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 0us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
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Impairment of an asset in value [Member] | 2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]          
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]          
Restructuring Charges Incurred to Date     (1)bsx_RestructuringChargesIncurredToDate
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Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 0us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
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Other [Member]          
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]          
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Restructuring Charges Incurred to Date     139bsx_RestructuringChargesIncurredToDate
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Restructuring-related Costs Incurred to Date     60bsx_RestructuringRelatedCostsIncurredToDate
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Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Payments for Restructuring (9)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
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Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment 1us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment
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Restructuring Related Expenses 7bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
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5bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
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Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 8us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
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14us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
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Restructuring Charges 1us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
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9us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
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Other [Member] | 2014 Restructuring plan [Member]          
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]          
Restructuring Charges Incurred to Date       26bsx_RestructuringChargesIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
 
Restructuring-related Costs Incurred to Date       26bsx_RestructuringRelatedCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
 
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Payments for Restructuring (9)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
    (47)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
 
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment 0us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
       
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 8us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
11us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
     
Other [Member] | 2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]          
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]          
Restructuring Charges Incurred to Date     113bsx_RestructuringChargesIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2011RestructuringPlanMember
   
Restructuring-related Costs Incurred to Date     34bsx_RestructuringRelatedCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2011RestructuringPlanMember
   
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Payments for Restructuring 0us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2011RestructuringPlanMember
  (154)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2011RestructuringPlanMember
   
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment 1us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2011RestructuringPlanMember
       
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 0us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2011RestructuringPlanMember
3us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2011RestructuringPlanMember
     
Restructuring Plan [Member] | Termination Benefits [Member] | 2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Expected total costs associated with the plan 135us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2011RestructuringPlanMember
  135us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2011RestructuringPlanMember
135us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2011RestructuringPlanMember
 
Restructuring Plan [Member] | Other [Member] | 2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Expected total costs associated with the plan 112us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2011RestructuringPlanMember
  112us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2011RestructuringPlanMember
112us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2011RestructuringPlanMember
 
Restructuring Related To Plan [Member] | Other [Member] | 2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Expected total costs associated with the plan 39us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringRelatedToPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2011RestructuringPlanMember
  39us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringRelatedToPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2011RestructuringPlanMember
39us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringRelatedToPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2011RestructuringPlanMember
 
Minimum [Member] | 2014 Restructuring plan [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Expected total costs associated with the plan 250us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
  250us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
250us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
 
Restructuring plan estimated future cash outflow 235bsx_RestructuringPlanEstimatedFutureCashOutflow
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
       
Minimum [Member] | Restructuring Plan [Member] | Termination Benefits [Member] | 2014 Restructuring plan [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Expected total costs associated with the plan 115us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
  115us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
115us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
 
Minimum [Member] | Restructuring Plan [Member] | Other [Member] | 2014 Restructuring plan [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Expected total costs associated with the plan 25us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
  25us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
25us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
 
Minimum [Member] | Restructuring Related To Plan [Member] | Other [Member] | 2014 Restructuring plan [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Expected total costs associated with the plan 110us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringRelatedToPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
  110us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringRelatedToPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
110us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringRelatedToPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
 
Maximum [Member] | 2014 Restructuring plan [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Expected total costs associated with the plan 300us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
  300us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
300us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
 
Restructuring plan estimated future cash outflow 285bsx_RestructuringPlanEstimatedFutureCashOutflow
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
       
Maximum [Member] | 2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date   53us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2011RestructuringPlanMember
     
Maximum [Member] | Restructuring Plan [Member] | Termination Benefits [Member] | 2014 Restructuring plan [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Expected total costs associated with the plan 135us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
  135us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
135us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
 
Maximum [Member] | Restructuring Plan [Member] | Other [Member] | 2014 Restructuring plan [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Expected total costs associated with the plan 35us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
  35us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
35us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
 
Maximum [Member] | Restructuring Related To Plan [Member] | Other [Member] | 2014 Restructuring plan [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Expected total costs associated with the plan 130us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringRelatedToPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
  130us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringRelatedToPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
130us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ bsx_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringChargeExpectedAxis
= bsx_RestructuringRelatedToPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= bsx_A2014RestructuringplanMember
 
Cost of products sold [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring Related Expenses 8bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= bsx_CostOfProductsSoldMember
2bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= bsx_CostOfProductsSoldMember
     
Cost of products sold [Member] | Termination Benefits [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring Related Expenses 0bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= bsx_CostOfProductsSoldMember
0bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= bsx_CostOfProductsSoldMember
     
Cost of products sold [Member] | Accelerated depreciation [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring Related Expenses 0bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= bsx_AcceleratedDepreciationMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= bsx_CostOfProductsSoldMember
0bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= bsx_AcceleratedDepreciationMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= bsx_CostOfProductsSoldMember
     
Cost of products sold [Member] | Transfer costs [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring Related Expenses 8bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= bsx_TransferCostsMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= bsx_CostOfProductsSoldMember
2bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= bsx_TransferCostsMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= bsx_CostOfProductsSoldMember
     
Cost of products sold [Member] | Impairment of an asset in value [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring Related Expenses 0bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= bsx_ImpairmentOfAssetInValueMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= bsx_CostOfProductsSoldMember
0bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= bsx_ImpairmentOfAssetInValueMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= bsx_CostOfProductsSoldMember
     
Cost of products sold [Member] | Other [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring Related Expenses 0bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= bsx_CostOfProductsSoldMember
0bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= bsx_CostOfProductsSoldMember
     
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring Related Expenses 8bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
6bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
     
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Termination Benefits [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring Related Expenses 0bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
0bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
     
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Accelerated depreciation [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring Related Expenses 1bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= bsx_AcceleratedDepreciationMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
1bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= bsx_AcceleratedDepreciationMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
     
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Transfer costs [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring Related Expenses 0bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= bsx_TransferCostsMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
0bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= bsx_TransferCostsMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
     
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Impairment of an asset in value [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring Related Expenses 0bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= bsx_ImpairmentOfAssetInValueMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
0bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= bsx_ImpairmentOfAssetInValueMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
     
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Other [Member]          
Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost          
Restructuring Related Expenses $ 7bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
$ 5bsx_RestructuringRelatedExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ bsx_StatementOfOperationsCaptionAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember