The calculated weighted-average amortization period of a major class of finite-lived intangible assets acquired during the current period either individually or as part of a group of assets (in either an asset acquisition or business combination). A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 44

-Subparagraph a(3)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905858&loc=d3e16265-109275

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- Definition

The total cost of the acquired entity including the cash paid to shareholders of acquired entities, fair value of debt and equity securities issued to shareholders of acquired entities, the fair value of the liabilities assumed, and direct costs of the acquisition.

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- Definition

The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to an identifiable intangible asset that will be amortized.

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The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to current assets.

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- Definition

Amount of goodwill arising from a business combination, which is the excess of the cost of the acquired entity over the amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 52

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to an identifiable intangible asset that will not be amortized. Does not include goodwill.

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The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to liabilities assumed.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 98-1

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The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to noncurrent assets of the acquired entity, except for property plant and equipment, intangible assets, and goodwill.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-Paragraph 51

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Number 98-1

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The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to property, plant and equipment to be used in ongoing operations.

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Completed Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Y	Dec. 31, 2010 Y	Dec. 31, 2009 Y	Dec. 31, 2011 In-process Research and Development [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 In-process Research and Development [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Customer Relationships [Member] Y	Dec. 31, 2010 Customer Relationships [Member] Y	Dec. 31, 2009 Customer Relationships [Member] Y	Dec. 31, 2011 Product Technology [Member] Y	Dec. 31, 2010 Product Technology [Member] Y	Dec. 31, 2009 Product Technology [Member] Y	Dec. 31, 2011 Tradenames and other [Member] Y	Dec. 31, 2010 Tradenames and other [Member] Y	Dec. 31, 2009 Tradenames and other [Member] Y	Aug. 31, 2011 Phadia [Member]	Aug. 31, 2011 Phadia [Member] Customer Relationships [Member]	Aug. 31, 2011 Phadia [Member] Product Technology [Member]	Aug. 31, 2011 Phadia [Member] Tradenames and other [Member]	May 31, 2011 Dionex [Member]	May 31, 2011 Dionex [Member] In-process Research and Development [Member]	May 31, 2011 Dionex [Member] Customer Relationships [Member]	May 31, 2011 Dionex [Member] Product Technology [Member]	May 31, 2011 Dionex [Member] Tradenames and other [Member]	Feb. 28, 2010 Ahura Scientific [Member]	Feb. 28, 2010 Ahura Scientific [Member] Customer Relationships [Member]	Feb. 28, 2010 Ahura Scientific [Member] Product Technology [Member]	Feb. 28, 2010 Ahura Scientific [Member] Tradenames and other [Member]	Mar. 31, 2010 Finnzymes [Member]	Mar. 31, 2010 Finnzymes [Member] Customer Relationships [Member]	Mar. 31, 2010 Finnzymes [Member] Product Technology [Member]	Mar. 31, 2010 Finnzymes [Member] Tradenames and other [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 Fermentas [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 Fermentas [Member] Customer Relationships [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 Fermentas [Member] Product Technology [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 Fermentas [Member] Tradenames and other [Member]	Apr. 30, 2009 Biolab [Member]	Apr. 30, 2009 Biolab [Member] Customer Relationships [Member]	Apr. 30, 2009 Biolab [Member] Product Technology [Member]	Apr. 30, 2009 Biolab [Member] Tradenames and other [Member]	Oct. 31, 2009 BRAHMS [Member]	Oct. 31, 2009 BRAHMS [Member] Customer Relationships [Member]	Oct. 31, 2009 BRAHMS [Member] Product Technology [Member]	Oct. 31, 2009 BRAHMS [Member] Tradenames and other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Acquisitions [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other Acquisitions [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Other Acquisitions [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other Acquisitions [Member] In-process Research and Development [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Acquisitions [Member] Customer Relationships [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other Acquisitions [Member] Customer Relationships [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Other Acquisitions [Member] Customer Relationships [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Acquisitions [Member] Product Technology [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other Acquisitions [Member] Product Technology [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Other Acquisitions [Member] Product Technology [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Acquisitions [Member] Tradenames and other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other Acquisitions [Member] Tradenames and other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Other Acquisitions [Member] Tradenames and other [Member]
Net Assets Acquired
Current assets	$ 585.9	$ 81.1	$ 92.1												$ 323.5				$ 227.8					$ 22.3				$ 6.1				$ 23.3				$ 38.2				$ 47.4				$ 34.6	$ 29.4	$ 6.5
Property, plant and equipment	268.4	20.4	37.0												150.2				84.4					3.3				3.4				9.6				3.3				32.9				33.8	4.1	0.8
Intangible assets (Definite Lived)						1,469.7	170.7	261.9	1,066.5	147.3	143.0	171.9	10.2	10.9		956.8	696.3	132.6			495.3	350.2	35.7		46.1	30.4	0.4		16.1	18.6	0.1		67.9	73.5	5.3		51.4	0.9	1.3		203.8	135.2	9.4					17.6	40.6	6.7	20.0	24.8	6.9	3.6	4.4	0.2
Intangible assets (Indefinite Lived)				18.3	4.4															18.3																											4.4
Goodwill	3,164.1	314.4	269.7												1,817.3				1,316.9					109.9				24.8				117.2				62.3				183.4				29.9	62.5	24.0
Other assets	73.1	14.1	3.5												67.9				4.1					0.1				2.0				3.0								3.5				1.1	9.0
Liabilities assumed	(1,143.6)	(127.3)	(166.8)												(606.3)				(503.6)					(46.1)				(12.8)				(39.4)				(25.8)				(134.0)				(33.7)	(29.0)	(7.0)
Total Purchase Price	$ 5,674.3	$ 635.3	$ 651.3												$ 3,538.3				$ 2,029.1					$ 166.4				$ 58.3				$ 260.4				$ 131.6				$ 481.6				$ 106.9	$ 150.2	$ 38.1
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Asset, Weighted Average Useful Life (in years)	13	9	11			14	10	11	11	9	9	14	10	8