Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 21,328	$ 18,828
Acquisitions	3,518	2,693
Finalization of purchase price allocations for prior year acquisitions	63	7
Currency translation	384	(222)
Other	(3)	22
Ending balance	25,290	21,328
Life Sciences Solutions [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	8,246	7,617
Acquisitions	136	619
Finalization of purchase price allocations for prior year acquisitions	(4)
Currency translation	14	(3)
Other	(1)	13
Ending balance	8,391	8,246
Analytical Instruments [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	4,686	2,703
Acquisitions	99	2,059
Finalization of purchase price allocations for prior year acquisitions	68
Currency translation	174	(80)
Other		4
Ending balance	5,027	4,686
Specialty Diagnostics [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	3,659	3,771
Acquisitions	27	1
Currency translation	171	(108)
Other	(1)	(5)
Ending balance	3,856	3,659
Laboratory Products and Services [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	4,737	4,737
Acquisitions	3,256	14
Finalization of purchase price allocations for prior year acquisitions	(1)	7
Currency translation	25	(31)
Other	(1)	10
Ending balance	$ 8,016	$ 4,737