Debt Instrument Percentage Of Face Value Received From Issuance

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- Definition

Estimated future tax effects attributable to the basis difference in convertible Liquid Yield Option Notes

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- Definition

Expected charges associated with redemption of notes

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- Definition

Interest Payable Commencement Date

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- Definition

Interest Payable Date

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- Definition

Number of Days That Constitutes Commercial Paper Maturity

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- Definition

Percentage Of Notes Principal That Redemption Price Must Equal Or Be Greater Than If A Credit Downgrade Or Change In Control Occurs

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- Definition

Termination Of Revolving Credit Facility

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- Definition

Unsecured multicurrency revolving credit

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- Definition

Weighted Average Maturity Of Commercial Paper

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- Definition

The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to notes payables and long-term debt assumed from the acquired entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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-Paragraph 51
-Subparagraph e
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-Publisher FASB
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- Definition

Face amount or stated value of common stock per share; generally not indicative of the fair market value per share.

+ References

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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 30
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-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29)
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- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of long-term debt (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer) identified as Convertible Notes Payable, excluding current portion. Convertible Notes Payable is a written promise to pay a note which can be exchanged for a specified amount of another, related security, at the option of the issuer and the holder.

+ References

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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

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-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
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- Definition

The number of shares issued in exchange for the original debt being converted in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or payments in the period.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 32
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
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-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
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- Definition

The percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

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- Definition

The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
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-Paragraph 16, 20
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Paragraph 2
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

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- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

Description of the interest rate as being fixed or variable, and, if variable, identification of the index or rate on which the interest rate is based and the number of points or percentage added to that index or rate to set the rate, and other pertinent information, such as frequency of rate resets.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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-Paragraph 2, 4
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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-Paragraph 22
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
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- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, which may be presented in a variety of ways (year, month and year, day, month and year, quarter, etc.).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
-Paragraph 2, 4
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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- Definition

The percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the interest rate derivative.

+ Details

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- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 19, 20, 22
-Article 5

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
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-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount borrowed under the credit facility as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 19, 22
-Article 5

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- Definition

Amount of current borrowing capacity under the credit facility considering any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed (for example, borrowings may be limited by the amount of current assets), but without considering any amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 19, 22
-Article 5

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

Reflects when the credit facility terminates, which may be presented in a variety of ways (year, month and year, day, month and year, quarter).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
-Paragraph 2, 4
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
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-Paragraph 19, 22
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Reflects when the credit facility first became available, which may be presented in a variety of ways (year, month and year, day, month and year, quarter).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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-Paragraph 2, 4
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
-Paragraph 2, 4
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

The cash inflow from additional borrowings, net of cash paid to third parties in connection with debt origination.

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- Definition

The cash inflow from the additional capital contribution to the entity.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total Aggregate Indebtedness divided by Net Capital.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Rule 15c3
-Number 240
-Article 15c3
-Section 1
-Subsection a
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph i

+ Details

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- Definition

The dollar amount received by subsidiary or equity investee for each share of common stock issued or sold in the stock transaction.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section H

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Reflects the calculation as of the balance sheet date of the average interest rate weighted by the amount of short-term debt outstanding by type or by instrument at that time.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 19
-Subparagraph b
-Article 5

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b))
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- Definition

Number of new stock issued during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
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-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 12
-Paragraph 10
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3

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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 29, 30
-Article 5

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of uncollateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 5
-Section 02
-Subsection 19, 20, 22

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-Publisher SEC
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-Paragraph 16
-Article 9

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Financing Transactions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended																					6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended													6 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
Financing Transactions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 21, 2011	Jul. 01, 2011	Jul. 02, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010	Jul. 01, 2011 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Acquisition [Member] Aggregate June 2011 Debt Proceeds [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 2013 Notes [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 2013 Notes [Member] Quarter 1 [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 2013 Notes [Member] Quarter 2 [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 2013 Notes [Member] Quarter 3 [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 2013 Notes [Member] Quarter 4 [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Acquisition [Member] 2014 Notes [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Acquisition [Member] 2014 Notes [Member] Semi Annual I [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Acquisition [Member] 2014 Notes [Member] Semi Annual II [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 2014 Notes [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 2014 Notes [Member] Semi Annual I [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 2014 Notes [Member] Semi Annual II [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 2016 Notes [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 2016 Notes [Member] Semi Annual I [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 2016 Notes [Member] Semi Annual II [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 2021 Notes [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Acquisition [Member] Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Jul. 18, 2011 Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility [Member] US Commercial Paper [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Multi-Year Facility [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 Prior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 Liquid Yield Option Notes [Member]	Jun. 24, 2011 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Acquisition [Member] 6.875% Notes Due 2011 [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 6.875% Notes Due 2011 [Member]	Jun. 24, 2011 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Acquisition [Member] 6% Notes Due 2015 [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 6% Notes Due 2015 [Member]	Jun. 24, 2011 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Acquisition [Member] 7% Notes Due 2019 [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 7% Notes Due 2019 [Member]	Jun. 24, 2011 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Acquisition [Member] 7.05% Debentures Due 2026 [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 7.05% Debentures Due 2026 [Member]	Jun. 24, 2011 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Acquisition [Member] 2.50% Convertible Notes Due 2036 [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 2.50% Convertible Notes Due 2036 [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Acquisition [Member] Federal Funds Base Rate [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Acquisition [Member] Eurodollars Base Rate [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 Maximum [Member] US Commercial Paper [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Acquisition [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 US Commercial Paper [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 Bridge Facility [Member]	Jul. 01, 2011 Multi-Year Facility [Member]
Shares issued in public offering in connection with acquisition		19,250,000
Danaher common stock purchase price in public offering		$ 51.75
Net proceeds from underwritten public offering of the Company's common stock	$ 966,000,000	$ 1,050,322,000	$ 92,850,000
Senior notes, principal amount							300,000,000								400,000,000			500,000,000			600,000,000									224,000,000		250,000,000		250,000,000
Interest rate of debt instrument															1.30%			2.30%			3.90%									6.875%		6.00%		7.00%		7.05%		2.50%
Debt instrument, percentage of face value received from issuance							100.00%								99.918%			99.84%			99.975%
Debt instrument maturity date							Jun. 21, 2013								Jun. 23, 2014			Jun. 23, 2016			Jun. 23, 2021
Interest rate terms for debt instrument																																													Under each of the Credit Facilities, interest is based on an applicable margin that varies according to the Company's long-term debt rating, plus, at the Company's option, either (1) LIBOR, or (2) a base rate (which is usually equal to the prime rate).
Basis spread on variable rate																																							0.005%	1.00%
Basis spread percentage to determine floating interest rate							0.25%
Net proceeds from debt						1,790,000,000																																					1,100,000,000
Date interest is payable								March 21	June 21	September 21	December 21		June 23	December 23		June 23	December 23		June 23	December 23
Interest payable commencement date							September 21, 2011					December 23, 2011			December 23, 2011			December 23, 2011
Percentage of notes' principal in addition to accrued interest that redemption price must equal or be greater than If a credit downgrade or change in control occurs					101.00%
Line of credit facility initiation date																							June 17, 2011
Credit facility expiration date																						June 16, 2012				July 15, 2016																June 27, 2011
Credit facility terminated amount																																													1,450,000,000
Line of credit																							1,450,000,000			2,500,000,000
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity																							3,000,000,000																				4,000,000,000
Available borrowings under the credit facility																							2,200,000,000	1,500,000,000
Borrowings outstanding under credit facility																											0																0
Consolidated leverage ratio																																												0.65	0.65
Unsecured multicurrency revolving credit																							1,450,000,000		3,640,000,000
Number of days that constitutes commercial paper maturity																																									397
Weighted average interest rate of short-term debt																																											0.20%
Weighted-average maturity of commercial paper																																											15
Aggregate debt resulting from acquisition		1,636,300,000																																								1,636,300,000
Convertible notes																																						600,000,000
Unsecured debt																																				36,000,000
Shares issued under debt conversion																												7,200,000
Common stock, par value		$ 0.01		$ 0.01																								$ 0.01
Deferred tax liability, basis difference in LYONs																												51,800,000
Expected charges associated with redemption of notes																																										20,000,000
Fair value of debt at acquisition date		$ 6,954,100,000		$ 3,372,600,000																									$ 229,000,000		$ 287,000,000		$ 306,000,000		$ 45,000,000		$ 720,000,000