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Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]

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Indefinite-lived intangible assets, accumulated write-offs

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indefinite-lived intangible assets including goodwill

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In process research and development

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Interest rate used to find the present value of an amount to be paid or received in the future as an input to measure fair value. For example, but not limited to, weighted average cost of capital (WACC), cost of capital, cost of equity and cost of debt.

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Accumulated amount of amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

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Amount before amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

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Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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Amount before accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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Amount of accumulated impairment loss for an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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Amount of loss from the write-down of an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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Amount of increase (decrease) from adjustments after acquisition date under purchase accounting of an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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The amount of impairment loss recognized in the period resulting from the write-down of the carrying amount of an intangible asset (excluding goodwill) to fair value.

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Amount of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance and having a projected indefinite period of benefit.

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Percentage of fair value of reporting unit in excess of carrying amount.

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No definition available.

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 0	$ 9	$ 0	$ 9
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	11,001		11,001		$ 10,997
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(5,289)		(5,289)		(5,022)
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill	16,593		16,593		16,592
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, accumulated write-offs	(9,900)		(9,900)		(9,900)
Goodwill	6,475		6,475		6,473
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments			2
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(9,900)		(9,900)		(9,900)
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]
Goodwill impairment charge			0
Cardiovascular [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	3,451		3,451		3,451
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments			0
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(1,479)		(1,479)		(1,479)
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]
Goodwill impairment charge			0
Rhythm Management [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Reporting Unit, Percentage of Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount		70.00%		70.00%
Goodwill	292		292		292
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments			0
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(6,960)		(6,960)		(6,960)
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]
Goodwill impairment charge			0
Allocated Goodwill			292
MedSurg [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	2,732		2,732		2,730
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments			2
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	$ (1,461)		(1,461)		(1,461)
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]
Goodwill impairment charge			$ 0
Global Electrophysiology (EP) Reporting Unit [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Reporting Unit, Percentage of Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount	36.00%	28.00%	36.00%	28.00%
Unclassified Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross	$ 16,375		$ 16,375		16,373
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(9,900)		(9,900)		(9,900)
Technology-related [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	120		120		120
In-process research and development [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	98		98		99
Technology-related [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	8,948		8,948		8,948
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(4,257)		(4,257)		(4,054)
Patents [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	522		522		520
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(366)		(366)		(358)
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,531		1,531		1,529
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (666)		$ (666)		$ (610)
In Process Research and Development 2 [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
In process research and development		$ 6
In Process Research and Development 2 [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		16.50%
In Process Research and Development 2 [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		20.00%