Goodwill and other intangible assets, net Changes in carrying amount of goodwill, by reporting segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	$ 1,655,681
Accumulated impairment losses	(332,128)	$ (332,128)
Goodwill related to acquisitions	18,928
Translation adjustment	(24,607)
Goodwill	1,317,874
Vascular North America
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	564,177
Accumulated impairment losses	(219,527)	(219,527)
Goodwill related to acquisitions	0
Translation adjustment	88
Goodwill	344,738
Anesthesia North America
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	214,429
Accumulated impairment losses	(84,531)	(84,531)
Goodwill related to acquisitions	12,473
Translation adjustment	(351)
Goodwill	142,020
Surgical North America
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	250,912
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0
Goodwill related to acquisitions	0
Translation adjustment	0
Goodwill	250,912
EMEA
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	339,029
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0
Goodwill related to acquisitions	1,149
Translation adjustment	(20,550)
Goodwill	319,628
Asia
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	144,712
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0
Goodwill related to acquisitions	4,112
Translation adjustment	(2,636)
Goodwill	146,188
OEM
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	0
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0
Goodwill related to acquisitions	1,194
Translation adjustment	0
Goodwill	1,194
All Other
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	142,422
Accumulated impairment losses	(28,070)	$ (28,070)
Goodwill related to acquisitions	0
Translation adjustment	(1,158)
Goodwill	$ 113,194