Segment Data (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended				48 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2011
Net sales and segment operating profit
Net Sales	$ 1,167.3	$ 1,031.5	$ 1,137.4	$ 1,115.6	$ 1,134.7	$ 965.0	$ 1,057.7	$ 1,062.8	$ 4,451.8	$ 4,220.2	$ 4,095.4
Depreciation and amortization									359.9	340.2	337.4
Segment operating profit									1,329.0	1,293.8	1,257.8
Share-based compensation									(60.5)	(62.0)	(75.3)
Inventory step-up									(11.4)	(1.4)	(12.5)
Certain claims									(157.8)	(75.0)	(35.0)	(69.0)	(336.8)
Goodwill impairment										(204.0)	(73.0)
Special items									(75.2)	(34.7)	(75.3)
Net curtailment and settlement											32.1
Operating Profit									1,024.1	916.7	1,018.8
Long-lived assets	1,207.3				1,213.8				1,207.3	1,213.8	1,221.7		1,207.3
Total Assets	8,515.3				7,999.9				8,515.3	7,999.9	7,785.5		8,515.3
Additions to instruments									155.4	192.5	123.7
Additions to other property, plant and equipment									113.8	79.2	105.1
Americas [Member]
Net sales and segment operating profit
Net Sales									2,440.8	2,431.6	2,372.4
Depreciation and amortization									81.0	78.1	86.4
Segment operating profit									1,220.4	1,214.6	1,168.7
Long-lived assets	769.0				841.5				769.0	841.5	851.0		769.0
Total Assets	2,571.6				2,578.0				2,571.6	2,578.0	3,022.4		2,571.6
Additions to other property, plant and equipment									1.3	0.3	0.6
Europe [Member]
Net sales and segment operating profit
Net Sales									1,214.5	1,099.5	1,119.2
Depreciation and amortization									74.9	70.5	64.8
Segment operating profit									414.7	398.0	436.8
Long-lived assets	330.6				281.7				330.6	281.7	285.0		330.6
Total Assets	2,345.5				2,210.8				2,345.5	2,210.8	2,273.6		2,345.5
Additions to instruments									15.2	22.9	17.0
Additions to other property, plant and equipment									23.8	16.9	28.8
Asia Pacific [Member]
Net sales and segment operating profit
Net Sales									796.5	689.1	603.8
Depreciation and amortization									36.3	30.0	26.7
Segment operating profit									290.6	259.9	257.4
Long-lived assets	107.7				90.6				107.7	90.6	85.7		107.7
Total Assets	602.4				561.4				602.4	561.4	443.6		602.4
Additions to instruments									7.7	5.2	5.3
Additions to other property, plant and equipment									4.7	7.6	5.1
Global operations and corporate functions [Member]
Net sales and segment operating profit
Depreciation and amortization									167.7	161.6	159.5
Segment operating profit									(596.7)	(578.7)	(605.1)
Long-lived assets	0				0				0	0	0		0
Total Assets	2,995.8				2,649.7				2,995.8	2,649.7	2,045.9		2,995.8
Additions to instruments									132.5	164.4	101.4
Additions to other property, plant and equipment									$ 84.0	$ 54.4	$ 70.6