Restructuring Charges, Net - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jan. 26, 2015	Oct. 30, 2015	Jul. 31, 2015	Apr. 24, 2015	Oct. 24, 2014	Oct. 30, 2015	Oct. 24, 2014
Cost Synergies Initiative [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		$ 86	$ 67	$ 248
Reversal of excess accrual		13
Impairment of property, plant and equipment		10			$ 0	$ 10	$ 9
Restructuring reserve		156	127	143		156
Cost Synergies Initiative [Member] | Employee termination costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		64	52	213
Reversal of excess accrual		13
Restructuring reserve		135	112	136		135
Cost Synergies Initiative [Member] | Asset write-downs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		10	0	28
Reversal of excess accrual		0
Restructuring reserve		0	0	0		0
Cost Synergies Initiative [Member] | Inventory write-offs [Member] | Cost of products sold [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				15
Cost Synergies Initiative [Member] | Contract termination costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				6
Cost Synergies Initiative [Member] | Other costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		12	15	1
Reversal of excess accrual		0
Restructuring reserve		21	15	7		21
Cost Synergies Initiative [Member] | Covidien plc [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected cost synergies	$ 850
Covidien Initiative [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reversal of excess accrual				5
Restructuring reserve	103	46	60	78		46
Covidien Initiative [Member] | Employee termination costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	76
Restructuring reserve		40	48	61		40
Covidien Initiative [Member] | Other costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 27
Restructuring reserve		$ 6	$ 12	$ 17		$ 6