Unaudited Interim Financial Information (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Acquisition related item, purchased IPR&D charge				$ 3,000,000				$ 3,500,000	$ 2,600,000	$ 16,100,000
Increase (decrease) in net income attributable to common share holders	34,800,000	12,600,000	188,700,000	1,900,000	5,200,000	6,100,000	6,300,000
Decreased diluted earnings per share available to common shareholders	$ (0.40)	$ (0.14)	$ 2.09	$ (0.02)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.07)
Legal settlement costs, gross			195,500,000
Total cost of restructuring		10,000,000			16,700,000
Total cost of restructuring	1,100,000		1,100,000
Impairment of Greek bonds included in other (income) expense, net	4,500,000	7,000,000						11,500,000
Decrease in income tax provision	(16,500,000)	(1,100,000)
Other (income) expense, net included a non-cash charge								(271,900,000)	(24,600,000)	(30,500,000)
Other (income) expense, net included a non-cash charge										(7,200,000)
Other (income) expense, net included insurance settlements, net										7,000,000
Acquisition related items consisting of integration costs	4,100,000					7,700,000		4,400,000	9,300,000	3,200,000
Acquisition related transaction costs	3,800,000						2,500,000	3,800,000
Bad debt expenses related write-down of accounts receivable							3,800,000		3,800,000
Income tax increase (decrease) in liability from prior year						1,400,000
Reduction in income tax provision	17,600,000				6,200,000			17,600,000	6,200,000
Brachytherapy Matter [Member]
Legal settlement costs, gross	$ 51,000,000							$ 51,000,000