Goodwill and other intangible assets, net - Components of intangible assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 2,940,362	$ 2,964,632
Accumulated Amortization	(677,544)	(580,884)
In-process research and development
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
In-process research and development	29,377	34,672
Accumulated Amortization	0	0
Customer relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets	1,020,603	1,023,837
Accumulated Amortization	(314,051)	(281,263)
Intellectual property
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets	1,273,503	1,287,487
Accumulated Amortization	(305,350)	(258,580)
Distribution rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets	23,637	23,697
Accumulated Amortization	(17,756)	(16,996)
Trade names
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets	569,570	571,510
Accumulated Amortization	(33,001)	(22,069)
Non-compete agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets	23,672	23,429
Accumulated Amortization	$ (7,386)	$ (1,976)