Contingencies (Details) (Pending Litigation, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2010 Litigation with Edwards	Dec. 10, 2008 Minneapolis Firefighters' Relief Association Putative Class Action	Apr. 27, 2012 Minneapolis Firefighters' Relief Association Putative Class Action
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters
Name of defendant	Medtronic CoreValve LLC	the Company and certain current and former officers
Name of plaintiff	Edwards Lifesciences, Inc.	the Minneapolis Firefighters’ Relief Association
Damages awarded to plaintiff	$ 74
Settlement
Loss contingency accrual			$ 90