Segment Data - Summary of Net Sales and Other Information by Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended						72 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2013
Sales Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	$ 1,240.7	$ 1,074.3	$ 1,169.5	$ 1,138.9	$ 1,180.5	$ 1,025.5	$ 1,125.0	$ 1,140.7	$ 4,623.4	$ 4,471.7	$ 4,451.8
Depreciation and amortization									358.5	363.1	359.9
Segment operating profit									1,355.8	1,373.6	1,329.0
Share-based payment expense									(48.5)	(55.0)	(60.5)
Inventory step-up									(8.0)	(4.8)	(11.4)
Certain claims									(47.0)	(15.0)	(157.8)	(75.0)	(35.0)	(69.0)	(398.8)
Goodwill impairment					(96.0)					(96.0)
Special items									(216.7)	(155.4)	(75.2)
Operating profit									1,035.6	1,047.4	1,024.1
Long-lived assets	1,224.7				1,210.7				1,224.7	1,210.7	1,207.3				1,224.7
Total assets	9,580.6				9,012.4				9,580.6	9,012.4	8,515.3				9,580.6
Additions to instruments									192.9	148.9	155.4
Additions to other property, plant and equipment									100.0	114.7	113.8
Americas [Member]
Sales Information [Line Items]
Net Sales									2,619.8	2,476.3	2,440.8
Depreciation and amortization									70.9	73.7	81.0
Segment operating profit									1,302.6	1,256.3	1,220.4
Long-lived assets	810.8				776.0				810.8	776.0	769.0				810.8
Total assets	2,814.9				2,690.6				2,814.9	2,690.6	2,571.6				2,814.9
Additions to instruments									0.2
Additions to other property, plant and equipment									9.0	0.7	1.3
Europe [Member]
Sales Information [Line Items]
Net Sales									1,212.6	1,177.4	1,214.5
Depreciation and amortization									72.6	73.6	74.9
Segment operating profit									359.7	369.1	411.5
Long-lived assets	306.3				326.1				306.3	326.1	330.6				306.3
Total assets	2,343.8				2,308.0				2,343.8	2,308.0	2,345.5				2,343.8
Additions to instruments									14.8	14.0	15.2
Additions to other property, plant and equipment									10.3	21.9	23.8
Asia Pacific [Member]
Sales Information [Line Items]
Net Sales									791.0	818.0	796.5
Depreciation and amortization									30.7	36.3	36.3
Segment operating profit									342.3	311.1	290.6
Long-lived assets	107.6				108.6				107.6	108.6	107.7				107.6
Total assets	541.9				578.3				541.9	578.3	602.4				541.9
Additions to instruments									6.5	7.1	7.7
Additions to other property, plant and equipment									7.6	6.4	4.7
Global Operations and Corporate Functions [Member]
Sales Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization									184.3	179.5	167.7
Segment operating profit									(648.8)	(562.9)	(593.5)
Total assets	3,880.0				3,435.5				3,880.0	3,435.5	2,995.8				3,880.0
Additions to instruments									171.4	127.8	132.5
Additions to other property, plant and equipment									$ 73.1	$ 85.7	$ 84.0