Special (Gains) Charges, Net and Certain Litigation Charges, Net	12 Months Ended
Apr. 24, 2015
Special Charges and Certain Litigation Charges, Net [Abstract]
Special (Gains) Charges, Net and Certain Litigation Charges, Net	Special (Gains) Charges, Net and Certain Litigation Charges, Net Special (Gains) Charges, Net During fiscal year 2015, the Company recognized a $138 million gain, which consisted of a $41 million gain on the sale of a product line in the Surgical Technologies division and a $97 million gain on the sale of an equity method investment. In addition, continuing with the Company's commitment to improving the health of people and communities throughout the world, the Company made a $100 million charitable contribution to the Medtronic Foundation, a related party non-profit organization. During fiscal year 2014, the Company made a $40 million charitable contribution to the Medtronic Foundation. There were no special (gains) charges during fiscal year 2013. Certain Litigation Charges, Net The Company classifies material litigation charges and gains recognized as certain litigation charges, net. During fiscal year 2015, the Company recorded certain litigation charges, net of $42 million, which primarily relates to additional accounting charges for probable and reasonably estimable INFUSE product liability litigation, which were recorded as a result of additional filed and unfiled claims, and other matters litigation. Refer to Note 16 for additional information. During fiscal year 2014, the Company recorded certain litigation charges, net of $770 million, which primarily includes the global patent settlement agreement with Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (Edwards) of $589 million, accounting charges for probable and reasonably estimable INFUSE product liability litigation of $140 million, and other litigation. During fiscal year 2013, the Company recorded certain litigation charges, net of $245 million related to probable and reasonably estimated damages related to the patent litigation with Edwards.

Special (Gains) Charges, Net and Certain Litigation Charges, Net

Special (Gains) Charges, Net

During fiscal year 2015, the Company recognized a $138 million gain, which consisted of a $41 million gain on the sale of a product line in the Surgical Technologies division and a $97 million gain on the sale of an equity method investment. In addition, continuing with the Company's commitment to improving the health of people and communities throughout the world, the Company made a $100 million charitable contribution to the Medtronic Foundation, a related party non-profit organization.

During fiscal year 2014, the Company made a $40 million charitable contribution to the Medtronic Foundation. There were no special (gains) charges during fiscal year 2013.

Certain Litigation Charges, Net

The Company classifies material litigation charges and gains recognized as certain litigation charges, net. During fiscal year 2015, the Company recorded certain litigation charges, net of $42 million, which primarily relates to additional accounting charges for probable and reasonably estimable INFUSE product liability litigation, which were recorded as a result of additional filed and unfiled claims, and other matters litigation. Refer to Note 16 for additional information.

During fiscal year 2014, the Company recorded certain litigation charges, net of $770 million, which primarily includes the global patent settlement agreement with Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (Edwards) of $589 million, accounting charges for probable and reasonably estimable INFUSE product liability litigation of $140 million, and other litigation.

During fiscal year 2013, the Company recorded certain litigation charges, net of $245 million related to probable and reasonably estimated damages related to the patent litigation with Edwards.