Restructuring and other impairment charges - by segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges	$ 60,120	$ 14,790	$ 15,871
Vascular North America
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges	556	2,595	5,843
Interventional North America
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges	900	4,908	459
Anesthesia North America
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges	371	1,262	1,839
Surgical North America
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges	0	0	151
EMEA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges	55,608	5,722	4,423
OEM
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges	0	0	795
All other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges	$ 2,685	$ 303	$ 2,361