Commitments and Contingencies (Details) € in Thousands, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 26, 2016 EUR (€)	Sep. 30, 2014 EUR (€)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) claims	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2018 claims
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value | €		€ 245
Accrual for legal matters that are probable and estimable | $				$ 1,612	$ 2,023
Litigation-related charges (credits) | $				$ 285	$ 804	$ 1,105
Product liability lawsuits related to defibrillators or pacemakers				8
Suits Pending Against Guidant in Canada and Filed as Class Actions				4
Suits Pending Against Guidant in Canada, Pending Outcome of Two Lead Class Actions				3
Suits Pending Against Guidant in Canada, Number of Lead Class Action				1
Loss Contingency, Settlement Agreement, Consideration | $				$ 3
Loss Contingency, Damages Paid, Value | €	€ 620
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Putative class actions in the U.S., Mesh							8
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product assigned to one judge in state court in Massachusetts							3,100
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product							49,000
Litigation Settlement, Amount | $			$ 275
Product liability cases or claims in Canada, Mesh							25
Certified class actions in Canada, Mesh							1
Putative class actions in Canada, Mesh							3
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product - United Kingdom							20
Settled Litigation [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product							44,000
Total Product liability cases and claims settled related to Mesh product							20,000