Restructuring Charges, Net , Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 26, 2015	Apr. 24, 2015	Apr. 29, 2016	Apr. 24, 2015
Cost Synergies Initiative [Member]
Restructuring Charges
Restructuring term			1 year
Reversal of excess accrual			$ 18
Payments/write-downs			207	$ 105
Restructuring charges			332	248
Cost Synergies Initiative [Member] | Covidien plc [Member]
Restructuring Charges
Expected cost synergies	$ 850
Cost Synergies Initiative [Member] | Asset write-downs [Member]
Restructuring Charges
Reversal of excess accrual			0
Payments/write-downs			23	28
Restructuring charges			23	28
Cost Synergies Initiative [Member] | Inventory write-offs and impairment of product lines [Member] | Cost of products sold [Member]
Restructuring Charges
Payments/write-downs			9	15
Cost Synergies Initiative [Member] | Impairment of property, plant and equipment [Member]
Restructuring Charges
Payments/write-downs			14	13
Cost Synergies Initiative [Member] | Employee termination costs [Member]
Restructuring Charges
Reversal of excess accrual			18
Payments/write-downs			153	77
Restructuring charges			248	213
Covidien Initiative [Member]
Restructuring Charges
Reversal of excess accrual			10	$ 5
Payments/write-downs		$ 20	61
Restructuring charges	103	0	0
Covidien Initiative [Member] | Employee termination costs [Member]
Restructuring Charges
Reversal of excess accrual		5	10
Payments/write-downs		10	49
Restructuring charges	76	$ 0	$ 0
Covidien Initiative [Member] | Other costs [Member]
Restructuring Charges
Restructuring charges	$ 27