Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Apr. 29, 2011

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Tables [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill

	Cardiac and		Restorative
(in millions)	Vascular Group		Therapies Group		Total
Balance as of April 24, 2009	$	1,392	$	6,803	$	8,195
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions		155		-		155
Purchase accounting adjustments, net		(5)		(3)		(8)
Currency adjustment, net		46		3		49
Balance as of April 30, 2010	$	1,588	$	6,803	$	8,391
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions		1,046		33		1,079
Purchase accounting adjustments, net		25		4		29
Currency adjustment, net		20		18		38
Balance as of April 29, 2011	$	2,679	$	6,858	$	9,537

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class

	Purchased		Trademarks
	Technology and		and		Acquired
(in millions)	Patents		Tradenames		IPR&D		Other		Total
Amortizable intangible assets as of April 29, 2011:
Original cost	$	3,565	$	373	$	338	$	150	$	4,426
Accumulated amortization		(1,265)		(290)		-		(94)		(1,649)
Carrying value	$	2,300	$	83	$	338	$	56	$	2,777
Weighted average original life (in years)		12.3		10.3		N/A		8.5
Amortizable intangible assets as of April 30, 2010:
Original cost	$	3,300	$	373	$	114	$	252	$	4,039
Accumulated amortization		(1,040)		(254)		-		(186)		(1,480)
Carrying value	$	2,260	$	119	$	114	$	66	$	2,559
Weighted average original life (in years)		12.6		10.3		N/A		8.6

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense

(in millions)
Fiscal Year	Amortization
	Expense
2012	$	321
2013		304
2014		294
2015		279
2016		268
Thereafter		973
	$	2,439