Goodwill and other intangible assets, net Changes in carrying amount of goodwill, by reporting segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill gross, starting balance	$ 1,655,681
Goodwill, beginning balance	1,323,553
Accumulated impairment losses	(332,128)	$ (332,128)
Goodwill related to acquisitions	18,915
Currency translation adjustment	(39,293)
Goodwill gross, ending balance	1,635,303
Goodwill, ending balance	1,303,175
Operating Segments | Vascular North America
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill gross, starting balance	564,177
Goodwill, beginning balance	344,650
Accumulated impairment losses	(219,527)	(219,527)
Goodwill related to acquisitions	0
Currency translation adjustment	88
Goodwill gross, ending balance	564,265
Goodwill, ending balance	344,738
Operating Segments | Anesthesia North America
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill gross, starting balance	214,429
Goodwill, beginning balance	129,898
Accumulated impairment losses	(84,531)	(84,531)
Goodwill related to acquisitions	12,473
Currency translation adjustment	(825)
Goodwill gross, ending balance	226,077
Goodwill, ending balance	141,546
Operating Segments | Surgical North America
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill gross, starting balance	250,912
Goodwill, beginning balance	250,912
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0
Goodwill related to acquisitions	0
Currency translation adjustment	0
Goodwill gross, ending balance	250,912
Goodwill, ending balance	250,912
Operating Segments | EMEA
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill gross, starting balance	339,029
Goodwill, beginning balance	339,029
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0
Goodwill related to acquisitions	1,149
Currency translation adjustment	(25,875)
Goodwill gross, ending balance	314,303
Goodwill, ending balance	314,303
Operating Segments | Asia
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill gross, starting balance	144,712
Goodwill, beginning balance	144,712
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0
Goodwill related to acquisitions	4,099
Currency translation adjustment	(9,175)
Goodwill gross, ending balance	139,636
Goodwill, ending balance	139,636
Operating Segments | OEM
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill gross, starting balance	0
Goodwill, beginning balance	0
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0
Goodwill related to acquisitions	1,194
Currency translation adjustment	0
Goodwill gross, ending balance	1,194
Goodwill, ending balance	1,194
All Other | All Other
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill gross, starting balance	142,422
Goodwill, beginning balance	114,352
Accumulated impairment losses	(28,070)	$ (28,070)
Goodwill related to acquisitions	0
Currency translation adjustment	(3,506)
Goodwill gross, ending balance	138,916
Goodwill, ending balance	$ 110,846