Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 29, 2012 USD ($)	Jun. 29, 2012 Beckman Coulter USD ($)	Jun. 29, 2012 Beckman Coulter USD ($)	Jun. 29, 2012 Japanese Yen JPY (¥)
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Japanese currency swap instruments bought, monthly basis (Japanese Yen)				¥ 184
Exchange rate of Japanese yen per United States dollar (US Dollars per Japanese Yen)				102.25
Aggregate purchase commitment	163			13,000
Derivative, gain (loss) on currency swap		$ 6	$ 8

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The amount of foreign currency that the entity has contractually agreed, or for which it has the option, to buy or sell with respect to the contract being described.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 12

+ Details

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- Definition

The contractual rate at which a foreign currency can be purchased or sold under the terms of a foreign currency derivative contract.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Net Increase or Decrease in the fair value of the derivative or group of derivatives included in earnings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4A

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5618551-113959

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- Definition

Aggregate notional amount of foreign currency derivatives to purchase a foreign currency. Notional amount refers to the number of currency units specified in the foreign currency derivative contract.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5580258-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Notional Amount

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519104

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1A

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5579245-113959

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