Financing (Other Long-Term Indebtedness) (Narrative) (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended					0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended		1 Months Ended		0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Jun. 23, 2011 USD ($)	Jun. 23, 2011 Aggregate June 2011 Debt Proceeds Beckman Coulter USD ($)	Jun. 23, 2011 2013 Notes	Jun. 23, 2011 2014 Notes	Dec. 31, 2012 2014 Notes	Jun. 23, 2011 2016 Notes	Dec. 31, 2012 2016 Notes	Dec. 31, 2007 2018 Notes USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 2018 Notes	Mar. 31, 2009 2019 Notes USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 2019 Notes	Jun. 23, 2011 2021 Notes	Dec. 31, 2012 2021 Notes	Jan. 21, 2006 Eurobond Notes USD ($)	Jan. 21, 2006 Eurobond Notes EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2012 Eurobond Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, percentage of face value received from issuance			100.00%	99.918%		99.84%		99.39%		99.93%		99.975%
Basis spread percentage to determine floating interest rate			0.25%
Interest rate of debt instrument					1.30%		2.30%		5.625%		5.40%		3.90%			4.50%
Net proceeds from debt	$ 1,800	$ 1,800						$ 493		$ 745				$ 627	€ 496