Name:	mdt_AcquisitionRelatedGainsCharges
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

This item represents equity method investments in common stock and investments accounted for under the cost-method at cost without quoted market price.

No definition available.

Name:	mdt_CostAndEquityMethodInvestmentWithoutQuotedMarketPrice
Namespace Prefix:	mdt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	mdt_FinancialInstrumentsNotMeasuredAtFairValueAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	mdt_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The charge against earnings in the period to reduce the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment to fair value.

No definition available.

Name:	mdt_ImpairmentofPropertyPlantandEquipment
Namespace Prefix:	mdt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets of an acquired entity to be used in the research and development activities of the combined enterprise.

No definition available.

Name:	mdt_InProcessResearchAndDevelopment
Namespace Prefix:	mdt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Intangible assets excluding goodwill measured on a nonrecurring basis as a percentage, maximum, of total intangible assets excluding goodwill, for which events or changes in circumstances indicated that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

No definition available.

Name:	mdt_IntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillMeasuredOnNonrecurringBasisAsPercentageOfTotalIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillMaximum
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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The stated principal amount of the long-term debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount.

No definition available.

Name:	mdt_LongTermDebtFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	mdt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the cost method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 325

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872867&loc=d3e40691-111596

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Amount after amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14024403&loc=d3e13816-109267

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

Name:	us-gaap_Goodwill
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of impairment loss recognized in the period resulting from the write-down of the carrying amount of a finite-lived intangible asset to fair value.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16373-109275

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

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.

No definition available.