Acquisitions (Fair Values Of The Assets Acquired And Liabilities) (Details) (USD $) In Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011
Accounts receivable	$ 863.7
Inventories	815.4
Property, plant and equipment	1,044.5
Goodwill	3,972.2
Other intangible assets, primarily trade names, customer relationships and patents	2,979.2
Accounts payable	(277.1)
Other assets and liabilities, net	(1,668.0)
Assumed debt	(1,640.4)
Non-controlling interest acquired	(2.4)
Net cash consideration	6,087.1
Beckman Coulter, Inc. Acquisition [Member]
Accounts receivable	793.3
Inventories	780.3
Property, plant and equipment	1,039.4
Goodwill	3,668.8
Other intangible assets, primarily trade names, customer relationships and patents	2,753.3
Accounts payable	(258.3)
Other assets and liabilities, net	(1,594.8)
Assumed debt	(1,640.4)
Non-controlling interest acquired
Net cash consideration	5,541.6
Others [Member]
Accounts receivable	70.4
Inventories	35.1
Property, plant and equipment	5.1
Goodwill	303.4
Other intangible assets, primarily trade names, customer relationships and patents	225.9
Accounts payable	(18.8)
Other assets and liabilities, net	(73.2)
Assumed debt
Non-controlling interest acquired	(2.4)
Net cash consideration	$ 545.5