Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating Activities
Net earnings	$ 1,345	$ 1,273	$ 1,107
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	160	165	165
Amortization	321	245	220
Share-based compensation	75	69	62
Restructuring charges	76		67
Property, plant and equipment impairment		124
Payments of restructuring charges	(29)	(9)	(47)
Sale of inventory stepped-up to fair value at acquisition	143	7
Deferred income tax credit	(164)	(104)	(73)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(152)	(121)	(10)
Inventories	(166)	(131)	34
Loaner instrumentation	(224)	(193)	(188)
Accounts payable	44	96	(80)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	158	91	66
Income taxes	(95)	(24)	192
Other	(58)	59	(54)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,434	1,547	1,461
Investing Activities
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(2,066)	(265)	(570)
Purchases of marketable securities	(6,779)	(5,619)	(4,602)
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	6,869	5,210	3,974
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(226)	(182)	(131)
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant and Equipment	67	61	1
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,135)	(795)	(1,328)
Financing Activities
Proceeds from borrowings	178	100	17
Payments on borrowings	(190)	(81)	(20)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net	749	996
Dividends paid	(279)	(238)	(198)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	(622)	(426)
Other	3	59	8
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(161)	410	(193)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	9	(63)	18
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(853)	1,099	(42)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1,758	659	701
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	905	1,758	659
Supplemental cash flow disclosure:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	$ 574	$ 579	$ 406