Retirement Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Oct. 26, 2012	Oct. 28, 2011		Oct. 26, 2012	Oct. 28, 2011
U.S. Pension Benefits
Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Service cost	$ 26	$ 23	[1]	$ 52	$ 46	[1]
Interest cost	23	22	[1]	46	44	[1]
Expected return on plan assets	(32)	(30)	[1]	(64)	(60)	[1]
Amortization of net actuarial loss	18	11	[1]	36	22	[1]
Net periodic benefit cost	35	26	[1]	70	52	[1]
Non-U.S. Pension Benefits
Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Service cost	11	11	[1]	22	22	[1]
Interest cost	7	7	[1]	14	14	[1]
Expected return on plan assets	(8)	(9)	[1]	(16)	(18)	[1]
Amortization of net actuarial loss	2	1	[1]	4	2	[1]
Net periodic benefit cost	12	10	[1]	24	20	[1]
Post-Retirement Benefits
Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Service cost	5	5	[1]	10	10	[1]
Interest cost	4	4	[1]	8	8	[1]
Expected return on plan assets	(4)	(4)	[1]	(8)	(8)	[1]
Amortization of net actuarial loss	1	1	[1]	2	2	[1]
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 6	$ 6	[1]	$ 12	$ 12	[1]

[1] Components of the net periodic benefit cost for the three and six months ended October 28, 2011 include balances related to Physio-Control.