Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Jan. 27, 2012	Jan. 28, 2011	Jan. 27, 2012	Jan. 28, 2011	Apr. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2012 Subsequent Event Physio-Control
Summary of Operating Results from Discontinued Operations before Tax
Net sales	$ 112	$ 104	$ 323	$ 297
Earnings from operations	23	16	48	39
Divestiture-related costs	(12)	0	(24)	0
Income tax expense	(5)	(5)	(9)	(13)
Deferred income tax benefit on sale	84	0	84	0
Earnings from discontinued operations	90	11	99	26
ASSETS
U.S. accounts receivable, net	47		47		63
Inventories	71		71		77
Deferred tax asset, net	25		25		20
Prepaid expenses and other assets	13		13		6
Property, plant and equipment, net	28		28		23
Goodwill	22		22		18
Other intangible assets, net	44		44		51
Total assets held for sale	250		250		258
LIABILITIES
Accrued payable and other accrued expenses	65		65		64
Accrued compensation	22		22		21
Deferred tax liabilities, net	2		2		3
Total liabilities held for sale	89		89		88
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Transaction value						405
Net assets	17,008		17,008		15,798	161
Proceeds from divestiture of business in net cash						$ 385