Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 26, 2012	Oct. 28, 2011	Oct. 26, 2012	Oct. 28, 2011	Apr. 27, 2012	Jan. 30, 2012 Physio-Control	Oct. 28, 2011 Physio-Control
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net assets	$ 17,175		$ 17,175		$ 17,113	$ 164
Proceeds from divestiture of Physio-Control						386
Summary of Operating Results from Discontinued Operations before Tax
Net sales		109		211
Earnings from operations of Physio-Control		17		25
Physio-Control divestiture-related costs		(7)		(12)
Income tax expense		(3)		(4)
Earnings from discontinued operations	0	7	0	9
Reclassification of divestiture related costs from continuing operations to discontinued operations							$ 12