Boston Scientific (BSX) 10-Q 5 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000885725	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	1,326,489,890

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net sales	$1,846	$1,735	$5,493	$5,305
Cost of products sold	550	510	1,651	1,618
Gross profit	1,296	1,225	3,842	3,687
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative expenses	741	658	2,150	1,950
Research and development expenses	212	217	609	644
Royalty expense	21	28	86	115
Amortization expense	109	101	327	305
Goodwill impairment charges	0	0	0	423
Intangible asset impairment charges	12	0	177	53
Contingent consideration expense (benefit)	-4	23	-122	-18
Restructuring charges	2	19	37	55
Litigation-related charges (credits)	139	76	399	206
Gain on divestiture	0	0	-12	-40
Operating expenses	1,232	1,122	3,651	3,693
Operating income (loss)	64	103	191	-6
Other (expense) income:	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-54	-137	-161	-266
Other, net	-7	-6	15	-10
Income (loss) before income taxes	3	-40	45	-282
Income tax expense (benefit)	-40	-35	-135	-53
Net income (loss)	$43	($5)	$180	($229)
Net income (loss) per common share — basic	$0.03	$0	$0.14	($0.17)
Net income (loss) per common share — assuming dilution	$0.03	$0	$0.13	($0.17)
Weighted-average shares outstanding	'	'	'	'
Basic	1,325.50	1,340.30	1,323.50	1,345.20
Assuming dilution	1,347.60	1,340.30	1,347.30	1,345.20

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net income (loss)	$43	($5)	$180	($229)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-15	10	-23	8
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments, net of tax	83	-38	28	81
Net change in certain retirement plans	0	0	-1	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	68	-28	4	89
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$111	($33)	$184	($140)

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$246	$217
Trade accounts receivable, net	1,233	1,307
Inventories	989	897
Deferred income taxes	303	288
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	404	302
Total current assets	3,175	3,011
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,522	1,546
Goodwill	5,901	5,693
Other intangible assets, net	5,732	5,950
Other long-term assets	388	371
TOTAL ASSETS	16,718	16,571
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current debt obligations	3	3
Accounts payable	234	246
Accrued expenses	1,288	1,348
Other current liabilities	295	227
Total current liabilities	1,820	1,824
Long-term debt	4,249	4,237
Deferred income taxes	1,224	1,402
Other long-term liabilities	2,724	2,569
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders’ equity	'	'
Preferred stock, $.01 par value - authorized 50,000,000 shares, none issued and outstanding	'	'
Common stock, $.01 par value - authorized 2,000,000,000 shares and issued 1,573,566,484 shares as of September 30, 2014 and 1,560,302,634 shares as of December 31, 2013	16	16
Treasury stock, at cost - 247,566,270 shares as of September 30, 2014 and 238,006,570 shares as of December 31, 2013	-1,717	-1,592
Additional paid-in capital	16,681	16,579
Accumulated deficit	-8,389	-8,570
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	110	106
Total stockholders’ equity	6,701	6,539
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$16,718	$16,571

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Stockholders' Equity:	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	2,000,000,000	2,000,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	1,573,566,484	1,560,302,634
Common stock, shares outstanding	1,326,000,214	1,322,296,064
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Treasury shares	247,566,270	238,006,570

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash provided by operating activities	$829	$835
Investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-180	-161
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	0	53
Purchases of privately held securities	-6	-13
Purchase of notes receivable	-12	-8
Proceeds from sales of publicly traded and privately held equity securities and collections of notes receivable	12	0
Payments for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	-487	0
Payments for investments in companies and acquisitions of certain technologies	-1	-13
Proceeds from business divestitures, net of costs	12	30
Cash used for investing activities	-662	-112
Financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from long-term borrowings, net of debt issuance costs	0	1,440
Payments on long-term borrowings	0	1,450
Payment of contingent consideration	-15	-107
Proceeds from borrowings on credit facilities	810	240
Payments on borrowings from credit facilities	-810	-240
Payments for acquisitions of treasury stock	-125	-275
Cash used to net share settle employee equity awards	-48	-26
Proceeds from issuances of shares of common stock	52	59
Cash used for financing activities	-136	-359
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash	-2	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	29	364
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	217	207
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	246	571
Non-cash operating activities:	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$79	$77

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]	'
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Boston Scientific Corporation have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in Item 8 of our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	Additionally, certain prior year cash outflows from net share settling employee equity awards to satisfy their tax withholding requirement have been reclassified from an operating activity to a financing activity within our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Amounts reclassified from operating to financing activities on the cash flows were not material. In addition, we have reclassified certain other prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation. Refer to Note L - Segment Reporting for more information.
	Subsequent Events
	We evaluate events occurring after the date of our most recent accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets for potential recognition or disclosure in our financial statements. We did not identify any material subsequent events requiring adjustment to our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements (recognized subsequent events) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014. Those items requiring disclosure (unrecognized subsequent events) in the financial statements have been disclosed accordingly. Refer to Note J - Commitments and Contingencies for more information.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
ACQUISITIONS	'
	ACQUISITIONS
	Interventional Business of Bayer AG
	On August 29, 2014, we completed the acquisition of the Interventional Division of Bayer AG (Bayer), for a total cash consideration of $414 million. We believe that this acquisition enhances our ability to offer physicians and healthcare systems a more complete portfolio of solutions to treat challenging vascular conditions. The transaction includes the AngioJet® Thrombectomy System and the Fetch® 2 Aspiration Catheter, which are used in endovascular procedures to remove blood clots from blocked arteries and veins, and the JetStream® Atherectomy System, used to remove plaque and thrombi from diseased arteries. We plan to integrate the operations of the Bayer business with our Peripheral Intervention and Interventional Cardiology divisions.
	IoGyn, Inc.
	On May 7, 2014, we completed the acquisition of the remaining fully diluted equity of IoGyn, Inc. (IoGyn). Prior to the acquisition, we held approximately 28 percent minority interest in IoGyn in addition to notes receivable of approximately $8 million. Total consideration was comprised of a net cash payment of $65 million at closing to acquire the remaining 72 percent of IoGyn equity and repay outstanding debt. IoGyn has developed the SymphionTM System, a next generation system for hysteroscopic intrauterine tissue removal including fibroids (myomas) and polyps. In March 2014, IoGyn received U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the system and in October 2014, we launched the system in the United States. We will integrate the operations of the IoGyn business with our gynecological surgery business, which is part of our Urology and Women’s Health division.
	Purchase Price Allocation
	We accounted for these acquisitions as business combinations and, in accordance with ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, we have recorded the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their respective fair values as of the acquisition date. The components of the aggregate preliminary purchase price for the acquisition consummated in 2014 are as follows (in millions):
	Cash, net of cash acquired	$	479
	Fair value of prior interests	31
		$	510
	Total consideration for the 2014 acquisitions included cash payments of $510 million, net of cash acquired, at closing of the transaction.
	In addition, prior to the acquisition of IoGyn, we had an equity interest in IoGyn and held $8 million of notes receivables. We re-measured our previously held investments to their estimated acquisition-date fair value of $31 million and recorded a gain of $19 million in other, net, in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations during the second quarter of 2014. We measured the fair values of the previously held investments based on the liquidation preferences and priority of the equity interest and debt, including accrued interest.
	The following summarizes the aggregate preliminary purchase price allocation for the 2014 acquisition as of September 30, 2014:
	Goodwill	$	210
	Amortizable intangible assets	263
	Inventory	23
	Property, Plant and Equipment	17
	Prepaid Transaction Service Agreement	5
	Other net assets	(1		)
	Deferred income taxes	(7		)
		$	510
	We allocated a portion of the preliminary purchase price to specific intangible asset categories as follows:
		Amount				Weighted	Range of Risk-
		Assigned				Average	Adjusted Discount
		(in millions)				Amortization	Rates used in
						Period	Purchase Price
						(in years)	Allocation
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Technology-related	$	233			14-Oct	14 - 18 %
	Customer Relationships	29				10	18%
	Other intangible assets	1				2	14%
		$	263
	Our technology-related intangible assets consist of technical processes, intellectual property, and institutional understanding with respect to products and processes that we will leverage in future products or processes and will carry forward from one product generation to the next. We used the income approach to derive the fair value of the technology-related intangible assets, and are amortizing them on a straight-line basis over their assigned estimated useful lives.
	Customer relationships represent the estimated fair value of the non-contractual customer and distributor relationships. Customer relationships are direct relationships with physicians and hospitals performing procedures with the acquired products, and distributor relationships are relationships with third parties used to sell products, both as of the acquisition date. These relationships were valued separately from goodwill as there is a history and pattern of conducting relationships with the customers and distributors on a contractual basis. We used the replacement cost and lost profits methodology to derive the fair value of the customer relationships. The customer relationships intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their assigned estimated useful lives.
	We believe that the estimated intangible asset values represent the fair value at the date of acquisition and do not exceed the amount a third party would pay for the assets. These fair value measurements are based on significant unobservable inputs, including management estimates and assumptions and, accordingly, are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy prescribed by ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.
	We recorded the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the estimated fair values of the identifiable assets acquired as goodwill, the majority of which is deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill was established due primarily to cost synergies expected to be gained from the integration of the businesses into our existing operations, as well as revenue and cash flow projections associated with future technologies, and has been allocated to our reportable segments based on the relative expected benefit. See Note D - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for more information related to goodwill allocated to our reportable segments.
	We did not close any material acquisitions during the first nine months of 2013.
	Contingent Consideration
	Certain of our acquisitions involve contingent consideration arrangements. Payment of additional consideration is generally contingent on the acquired company reaching certain performance milestones, including attaining specified revenue levels, achieving product development targets and/or obtaining regulatory approvals. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we recognize a liability equal to the fair value of the contingent payments we expect to make as of the acquisition date. We re-measure this liability each reporting period and record changes in the fair value through a separate line item within our consolidated statements of operations.
	We recorded a net benefit related to the change in fair value of our contingent consideration liabilities of $4 million and $122 million in the third quarter of 2014 and first nine months of 2014, respectively. We recorded a net expenses related to the change in fair value of our contingent consideration liabilities of $23 million during the third quarter of 2013 and a net benefit of $18 million during the first nine months of 2013. We made no contingent consideration payments in the third quarter of 2014, $15 million in the first nine months of 2014 and we paid $100 million and $115 million during the third quarter and first nine months of 2013.
	Changes in the fair value of our contingent consideration liability were as follows (in millions):
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	(501	)
	Amounts recorded related to new acquisitions	(3		)
	Other amounts recorded related to prior acquisitions	4
	Net fair value adjustments	122
	Payments made	15
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	(363	)
	As of September 30, 2014, the maximum amount of future contingent consideration (undiscounted) that we could be required to pay was approximately $2.1 billion.
	Contingent consideration liabilities are re-measured to fair value each reporting period using projected revenues, discount rates, probabilities of payment and projected payment dates. The recurring Level 3 fair value measurements of our contingent consideration liability include the following significant unobservable inputs:
	Contingent Consideration Liability	Fair Value as of September 30, 2014	Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range
	R&D, Regulatory and Commercialization-based Milestones	$62 million	Probability Weighted Discounted Cash Flow	Discount Rate	0.9%-1.4%
				Probability of Payment	60% - 95%
				Projected Year of Payment	2014 - 2015
	Revenue-based Payments	$48 million	Discounted Cash Flow	Discount Rate	11.5% - 15%
				Probability of Payment	0% - 100%
				Projected Year of Payment	2014 - 2018
		$253 million	Monte Carlo	Revenue Volatility	11% - 13%
				Risk Free Rate	LIBOR Term Structure
				Projected Year of Payment	2014-2018
	Increases or decreases in the fair value of our contingent consideration liability can result from changes in discount periods and rates, as well as changes in the timing and amount of revenue estimates or in the timing or likelihood of achieving regulatory-, revenue- or commercialization-based milestones. Projected contingent payment amounts related to research and development, regulatory- and commercialization-based milestones and certain revenue-based milestones are discounted back to the current period using a discounted cash flow (DCF) model. Other revenue-based payments are valued using a Monte Carlo valuation model, which simulates future revenues during the earn-out period using management's best estimates. Projected revenues are based on our most recent internal operational budgets and long-range strategic plans. Increases in projected revenues and probabilities of payment may result in higher fair value measurements. Increases in discount rates and the time to payment may result in lower fair value measurements. Increases or decreases in any of those inputs in together, or in isolation, may result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.

Divestitures

Divestitures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Divestitures and Assets Held for Sale [Abstract]	'
DIVESTITURES	'
	DIVESTITURES
	In January 2011, we closed the sale of our Neurovascular business to Stryker Corporation for a purchase price of $1.500 billion in cash. We received $1.450 billion during 2011, including an upfront payment of $1.426 billion, and $24 million which was placed into escrow and released throughout 2011 upon the completion of local closings in certain foreign jurisdictions. We received $10 million during 2012, $28 million during the second quarter of 2013 and we received the final $12 million of consideration in January 2014. At the time of divestiture, due to our continuing involvement in the operations of the Neurovascular business following the transaction, the divestiture did not meet the criteria for presentation as a discontinued operation. Our sales related to our divested Neurovascular business have declined as the various transition services and supply agreements have terminated.
	Revenue generated by the Neurovascular business was $1 million in the third quarter of 2014, $4 million in the first nine months of 2014, $2 million in the third quarter of 2013, and $56 million in the first nine months of 2013.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	'
	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The gross carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets and the related accumulated amortization for intangible assets subject to amortization and accumulated write-offs of goodwill as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows:
			As of
			September 30, 2014								December 31, 2013
			Gross Carrying				Accumulated				Gross Carrying				Accumulated
							Amortization/								Amortization/
	(in millions)		Amount				Write-offs				Amount				Write-offs
	Amortizable intangible assets
	Technology-related		$	8,407			$	(3,607	)		$	8,272			$	(3,342	)
	Patents		518				(337		)		513				(326		)
	Other intangible assets		874				(519		)		845				(479		)
			$	9,799			$	(4,463	)		$	9,630			$	(4,147	)
	Unamortizable intangible assets
	Goodwill		$	15,801			$	(9,900	)		$	15,593			$	(9,900	)
	Technology-related		197				—				197				—
			$	15,998			$	(9,900	)		$	15,790			$	(9,900	)
	In addition, we had $199 million and $270 million of in-process research and development intangible assets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	The following represents our goodwill balance by global reportable segment:
	(in millions)		Cardiovascular				Rhythm Management				MedSurg				Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2013		$	3,252			$	294			$	2,147			$	5,693
	Purchase price adjustments		(1		)		(3		)		(1		)		(5		)
	Goodwill acquired		169				—				44				213
	Goodwill written off		—				—				—				—
	Other changes in carrying amount*		7				—				(7		)		—
	Balance as of September 30, 2014		$	3,427			$	291			$	2,183			$	5,901
	*In the first nine months of 2014, we reallocated $7 million of goodwill between Cardiovascular and MedSurg as a result of the realignment of certain product lines from Endoscopy to Peripheral Interventions as of January 1, 2014.
	2014 Goodwill Impairment Testing
	We test our goodwill balances during the second quarter of each year for impairment, or more frequently if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist.
	In the second quarter of 2014, we performed our annual goodwill impairment test for all of our reporting units. In conjunction with our annual test, the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value. Therefore, it was deemed not necessary to proceed to the second step of the impairment test. As a result of the 2014 annual goodwill impairment test, we have identified our global Neuromodulation and global Electrophysiology reporting units as being at higher risk of potential failure of the first step of the goodwill impairment test in future reporting periods. As of the date of our annual goodwill impairment test, our global Neuromodulation reporting unit had excess fair value over carrying values of approximately 55 percent and held $1.356 billion of allocated goodwill. As of the date of our annual goodwil impairment test, our global Electrophysiology reporting unit had excess fair value over carrying values of approximately 38 percent and held $292 million of allocated goodwill. Our global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) reporting unit had a fair value approximately equal to its carrying value; however, due to goodwill impairment charges in prior years, no goodwill remains within our CRM reporting unit. Changes in our reporting units or in the structure of our business as a result of future reorganizations, acquisitions or divestitures of assets or businesses could result in future impairments of goodwill within our reporting units including global CRM. Further, the recoverability of our CRM-related amortizable intangibles ($4.167 billion globally as of September 30, 2014) is sensitive to future cash flow assumptions and our global CRM business performance. The $4.167 billion of CRM-related amortizable intangibles are at higher risk of potential failure of the first step of the amortizable intangible recoverability test in future reporting periods. An impairment of a material portion of our CRM-related amortizable intangibles carrying value would occur if the second step of the amortizable intangible test is required in a future reporting period. Refer to Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates within our Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of key assumptions used in our testing.
	On a quarterly basis, we monitor the key drivers of fair value to detect events or other changes that would warrant an interim impairment test of our goodwill and intangible assets. The key variables that drive the cash flows of our reporting units and amortizable intangibles are estimated revenue growth rates and levels of profitability. Terminal value growth rate assumptions, as well as the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) rate applied are additional key variables for reporting unit cash flows. These assumptions are subject to uncertainty, including our ability to grow revenue and improve profitability levels. Relatively
	small declines in the future performance and cash flows of a reporting unit or asset group or small changes in other key assumptions may result in the recognition of significant goodwill or intangible asset impairment charges. For example, as of the date of our annual goodwill impairment test, keeping all other variables constant, an increase in the WACC applied of 100 basis points combined with a 150 basis points decrease in the terminal value growth rate would require that we perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test for both our global Electrophysiology and global Neuromodulation reporting units. The estimates used for our future cash flows and discount rates represent management's best estimates, which we believe to be reasonable, but future declines in business performance may impair the recoverability of our goodwill and intangible asset balances.
	Future events that could have a negative impact on the levels of excess fair value over carrying value of our reporting units and/or amortizable intangible assets include, but are not limited to:
	•	decreases in estimated market sizes or market growth rates due to greater-than-expected declines in procedural volumes, pricing pressures, reductions in reimbursement levels, product actions, and/or competitive technology developments;
	•	declines in our market share and penetration assumptions due to increased competition, an inability to develop or launch new and next-generation products and technology features in line with our commercialization strategies, product actions, and market and/or regulatory conditions that may cause significant launch delays or product recalls;
	•	decreases in our forecasted profitability due to an inability to successfully implement and achieve timely and sustainable cost improvement measures consistent with our expectations, increases in our market-participant tax rate, and/or changes in tax laws;
	•	negative developments in intellectual property litigation that may impact our ability to market certain products or increase our costs to sell certain products;
	•	the level of success of on-going and future research and development efforts, including those related to recent acquisitions, and increases in the research and development costs necessary to obtain regulatory approvals and launch new products;
	•	the level of success in managing the growth of acquired companies, achieving sustained profitability consistent with our expectations, establishing government and third-party payer reimbursement, supplying the market, and increases in the costs and time necessary to integrate acquired businesses into our operations successfully;
	•	changes in our reporting units or in the structure of our business as a result of future reorganizations, acquisitions or divestitures of assets or businesses; and
	•	increases in our market-participant risk-adjusted WACC.
	Negative changes in one or more of these factors, among others, could result in additional impairment charges.
	2013 Charge
	Following our reorganization from regions to global business units and our reallocation of goodwill on a relative fair value basis as of January 1, 2013, we conducted the first step of the goodwill impairment test for all global reporting units. As of January 1, 2013, the fair value of each global reporting unit exceeded its carrying value, with the exception of the global CRM reporting unit. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) and our accounting policies, we tested the global CRM intangible assets and goodwill for impairment and recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $423 million ($421 million after-tax) to write down the goodwill to its implied fair value as of January 1, 2013 as a result of this analysis. The primary driver of this impairment charge was our reorganization from geographic regions to global business units as of January 1, 2013, which changed the composition of our reporting units. As a result of the reorganization, any goodwill allocated to the global CRM reporting unit was no longer supported by the cash flows of other businesses. Under our former reporting unit structure, the goodwill allocated to our regional reporting units was supported by the cash flows from all businesses in each international region. The hypothetical tax structure of the global CRM business and the global CRM business discount rate applied were also contributing factors to the goodwill impairment charge. Refer to Note D - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets contained in Item 8 of our 2013 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for details on the 2013 goodwill impairment charge.
	The following is a rollforward of accumulated goodwill write-offs by global reportable segment:
	(in millions)	Cardiovascular				Rhythm Management				MedSurg				Total
	Accumulated write-offs as of December 31, 2013	$	(1,479	)		$	(6,960	)		$	(1,461	)		$	(9,900	)
	Goodwill written off	—				—				—				—
	Accumulated write-offs as of September 30, 2014	$	(1,479	)		$	(6,960	)		$	(1,461	)		$	(9,900	)
	Intangible Asset Impairment Testing
	On a quarterly basis, we monitor for events or other potential indicators of an impairment that would warrant an interim impairment test of our intangible assets. Refer to Note D - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets contained in Item 8 of our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of future events that would have a negative impact on the recoverability of our $4.167 billion of CRM-related amortizable intangible assets. Our CRM-related amortizable intangible assets are at higher risk of potential failure of the first step of the amortizable intangible asset recoverability test in future reporting periods. An impairment of a material portion of our CRM-related amortizable intangible assets carrying value would likely occur if the second step of the amortizable intangible asset test is required in a future reporting period. Refer to Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates within our Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in Item 7 of our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of key assumptions used in our testing.
	2014 Charges
	During the third quarter of 2014, we performed our annual impairment test of all in-process research and development projects, and our indefinite lived core technology assets. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment on an annual basis during the third quarter of each year, or more frequently if impairment indicators are present, in accordance with U.S. GAAP and our accounting policies described in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on the results of our annual test, we recorded total impairment charges of $4 million to write-down the balances of certain in-process projects to their fair value. In addition, as a result of revised estimates in conjunction with our annual operating plan, we performed an interim impairment test of core technology associated with certain of our acquisitions, and recorded an impairment charge of $8 million, for a total of $12 million of impairment charges in the third quarter of 2014.
	During the second quarter of 2014, as a result of revised estimates developed in conjunction with our annual strategic planning process and annual goodwill impairment test, we performed an interim impairment test of our in-process research and development projects and core technology associated with certain of our acquisitions. Based on our impairment assessment, and lower expected future cash flows associated with our intangible assets, we recorded pre-tax impairment charges of $110 million in the second quarter of 2014. As a result of changes in our clinical strategy and lower estimates of the European and global hypertension markets, and the resulting amount of future revenue and cash flows associated with the technology acquired from Vessix Vascular Inc. (Vessix), we recorded impairment charges of $67 million related to technology intangible assets during the second quarter of 2014. In addition, in the second quarter of 2014, due to revised expectations and timing as a result of the announcement of a third FDA Circulatory System Devices Panel, we recorded impairment charges of $35 million related to the in-process research and development intangible assets acquired from Atritech, Inc. (Atritech). We also recorded an additional $8 million intangible asset impairment charge associated with changes in the amount of the expected cash flows related to certain other acquired in-process research and development projects.
	During the first quarter of 2014, as a result of lower estimates of the resistant hypertension market following the announcement of data from a competitor's clinical trial, we performed an interim impairment test of our in-process research and development projects and core technology associated with our acquisition of Vessix. The impairment assessments were based upon probability-weighted cash flows of potential future scenarios. Based on our impairment assessment, and lower expected future cash flows associated with our Vessix-related intangible assets, we recorded pre-tax impairment charges of $55 million in the first quarter of 2014 to write-down the balance of these intangible assets to their fair value.
	2013 Charges
	During the second quarter of 2013, as a result of revised estimates developed in conjunction with our annual strategic planning process and annual goodwill impairment test, we performed an interim impairment test of our in-process research and development projects associated with certain of our acquisitions. Based on the results of our impairment analysis, we revised our expectations of the market size related to Sadra Medical, Inc. (Sadra), and the resulting timing and amount of future revenue and cash flows associated with the technology acquired from Sadra. As a result of these changes, we recorded pre-tax impairment charges of $51 million in the second quarter of 2013 to write-down the balance of these intangible assets to their fair value. During the second quarter of 2013, we also recorded an additional $2 million intangible asset impairment charge associated with changes in the amount of the expected cash flows related to certain other acquired in-process research and development projects.
	We recorded these amounts in the intangible asset impairment charges caption in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
	The nonrecurring Level 3 fair value measurements of our intangible asset impairment analysis included the following significant unobservable inputs:
	Intangible Asset	Valuation Date	Fair Value	Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Rate
	In-Process R&D	30-Sep-14	$16 million	Income Approach - Excess Earnings Method	Discount Rate	16.5 - 20%
	In-Process R&D	30-Jun-14	$83 million	Income Approach - Excess Earnings Method	Discount Rate	16.5 - 20%
	Core Technology	30-Jun-14	$8 million	Income Approach - Excess Earnings Method	Discount Rate	15%
	In-Process R&D	31-Mar-14	$6 million	Income Approach - Excess Earnings Method	Discount Rate	20%
Core Technology	31-Mar-14	$64 million	Income Approach - Excess Earnings Method	Discount Rate	15%
In-Process R&D	30-Jun-13	$178 million	Income Approach - Excess Earnings Method	Discount Rate	16.50%

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	We develop, manufacture and sell medical devices globally and our earnings and cash flows are exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. We address these risks through a risk management program that includes the use of derivative financial instruments, and operate the program pursuant to documented corporate risk management policies. We recognize all derivative financial instruments in our consolidated financial statements at fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). In accordance with Topic 815, for those derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, the hedging instrument must be designated, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge, or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, further, on the type of hedging relationship. Our derivative instruments do not subject our earnings or cash flows to material risk, as gains and losses on these derivatives generally offset losses and gains on the item being hedged. We do not enter into derivative transactions for speculative purposes and we do not have any non-derivative instruments that are designated as hedging instruments pursuant to Topic 815.
	Currency Hedging
	We are exposed to currency risk consisting primarily of foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities, forecasted foreign currency denominated intercompany and third-party transactions and net investments in certain subsidiaries. We manage our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on a consolidated basis to take advantage of offsetting transactions. We use both derivative instruments (currency forward and option contracts), and non-derivative transactions (primarily European manufacturing and distribution operations) to reduce the risk that our earnings and cash flows associated with these foreign currency denominated balances and transactions will be adversely affected by foreign currency exchange rate changes.
	Designated Foreign Currency Hedges
	All of our designated currency hedge contracts outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were cash flow hedges under Topic 815 intended to protect the U.S. dollar value of our forecasted foreign currency denominated transactions. We record the effective portion of any change in the fair value of foreign currency cash flow hedges in other comprehensive income (OCI) until the related third-party transaction occurs. Once the related third-party transaction occurs, we reclassify the effective portion of any related gain or loss on the foreign currency cash flow hedge to earnings. In the event the hedged forecasted transaction does not occur, or it becomes no longer probable that it will occur, we reclassify the amount of any gain or loss on the related cash flow hedge to earnings at that time. We had currency derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges outstanding in the contract amount of $2.442 billion as of September 30, 2014 and $2.564 billion as of December 31, 2013.
	We recognized net gains of $25 million in earnings on our cash flow hedges during the third quarter of 2014 and $68 million for the first nine months of 2014, as compared to net gains of $15 million during the third quarter of 2013 and $15 million for the first nine months of 2013. All currency cash flow hedges outstanding as of September 30, 2014 mature within 36 months. As of September 30, 2014, $169 million of net gains, net of tax, were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) to recognize the effective portion of the fair value of any currency derivative instruments that are, or previously were, designated as foreign currency cash flow hedges, as compared to net gains of $139 million as of December 31, 2013. As of September 30, 2014, $99 million of net gains, net of tax, may be reclassified to earnings within the next twelve months.
	The success of our hedging program depends, in part, on forecasts of transaction activity in various currencies (primarily Japanese yen, Euro, British pound sterling, Australian dollar and Canadian dollar). We may experience unanticipated currency exchange gains or losses to the extent that there are differences between forecasted and actual activity during periods of currency volatility. In addition, changes in foreign currency exchange rates related to any unhedged transactions may impact our earnings and cash flows.
	Non-designated Foreign Currency Contracts
	We use currency forward contracts as a part of our strategy to manage exposure related to foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities. These currency forward contracts are not designated as cash flow, fair value or net investment hedges under Topic 815; are marked-to-market with changes in fair value recorded to earnings; and are entered into for periods consistent with currency transaction exposures, generally less than one year. We had currency derivative instruments not designated as hedges under Topic 815 outstanding in the contract amount of $2.479 billion as of September 30, 2014 and $1.952 billion as of December 31, 2013.
	Interest Rate Hedging
	Our interest rate risk relates primarily to U.S. dollar borrowings, partially offset by U.S. dollar cash investments. We have historically used interest rate derivative instruments to manage our earnings and cash flow exposure to changes in interest rates by converting floating-rate debt into fixed-rate debt or fixed-rate debt into floating-rate debt.
	We designate these derivative instruments either as fair value or cash flow hedges under Topic 815. We record changes in the value of fair value hedges in interest expense, which is generally offset by changes in the fair value of the hedged debt obligation. Interest payments made or received related to our interest rate derivative instruments are included in interest expense. We record the effective portion of any change in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as unrealized gains or losses in OCI, net of tax, until the hedged cash flow occurs, at which point the effective portion of any gain or loss is reclassified to earnings. We record the ineffective portion of our cash flow hedges in interest expense. In the event the hedged cash flow does not occur, or it becomes no longer probable that it will occur, we reclassify the amount of any gain or loss on the related cash flow hedge to interest expense at that time.
	In the fourth quarter of 2013, we entered into interest rate derivative contracts having a notional amount of $450 million to convert fixed-rate debt into floating-rate debt, which we designated as fair value hedges, and had $450 million outstanding as of September 30, 2014. We assessed at inception, and re-assess on an ongoing basis, whether the interest rate derivative contracts are highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged fixed-rate debt. During the third quarter of 2014 we recognized, in interest expense, a $1 million gain on our hedged debt and a $1 million loss on the related interest rate derivative contract. During the first nine months of 2014 we recognized, in interest expense, a $17 million loss on our hedged debt and a $17 million gain on the related interest rate derivative contract.
	In prior years, we terminated certain interest rate derivative contracts, including fixed-to-floating interest rate contracts, designated as fair value hedges, and floating-to-fixed treasury locks, designated as cash flow hedges. We are amortizing the gains and losses on these derivative instruments upon termination into earnings as a reduction of interest expense over the remaining term of the hedged debt, in accordance with Topic 815. The carrying amount of certain of our senior notes included unamortized gains of $47 million as of September 30, 2014 and $54 million as of December 31, 2013, and unamortized losses of $2 million as of September 30, 2014 and $2 million as of December 31, 2013, related to the fixed-to-floating interest rate contracts. In addition, we had pre-tax net gains within AOCI related to terminated floating-to-fixed treasury locks of $2 million as of September 30, 2014 and $3 million as of December 31, 2013. We recorded approximately $2 million during the third quarter of 2014 and $7 million during the first nine months of 2014 as a reduction to interest expense, resulting from the amortization of previously terminated interest rate derivative contracts. As of September 30, 2014, $9 million of pre-tax net gains may be reclassified to earnings within the next twelve months as a reduction to interest expense from amortization of our previously terminated interest rate derivative contracts.
	Counterparty Credit Risk
	We do not have significant concentrations of credit risk arising from our derivative financial instruments, whether from an individual counterparty or a related group of counterparties. We manage our concentration of counterparty credit risk on our derivative instruments by limiting acceptable counterparties to a diversified group of major financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings, limiting the amount of credit exposure to each counterparty, and by actively monitoring their credit ratings and outstanding fair values on an on-going basis. Furthermore, none of our derivative transactions are subject to collateral or other security arrangements and none contain provisions that are dependent on our credit ratings from any credit rating agency.
	We also employ master netting arrangements that reduce our counterparty payment settlement risk on any given maturity date to the net amount of any receipts or payments due between us and the counterparty financial institution. Thus, the maximum loss due to counterparty credit risk is limited to the unrealized gains in such contracts net of any unrealized losses should any of these counterparties fail to perform as contracted. Although these protections do not eliminate concentrations of credit risk, as a result of the above considerations, we do not consider the risk of counterparty default to be significant.
	Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
	The following presents the effect of our derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges under Topic 815 on our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations during the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 and 2013 (in millions):
		Amount of Pre-tax				Amount of Pre-tax Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Earnings				Location in Statement of
		Gain (Loss)				(Effective Portion)				Operations
		Recognized in OCI
		(Effective Portion)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Currency hedge contracts	$	156			$	25			Cost of products sold
		$	156			$	25
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Currency hedge contracts	$	(45	)		$	15			Cost of products sold
		$	(45	)		$	15
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Currency hedge contracts	$	115			$	68			Cost of products sold
		$	115			$	68
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Currency hedge contracts	$	144			$	15			Cost of products sold
		$	144			$	15
	The amount of gain (loss) recognized in earnings related to the ineffective portion of hedging relationships was de minimis for all periods presented.
	Net gains and losses on currency hedge contracts not designated as hedging instruments were offset by net losses and gains from foreign currency transaction exposures, as shown in the following table:
	in millions		Location in Statement of Operations		Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
					September 30,							September 30,
					2014				2013			2014			2013
	Gain (loss) on currency hedge contracts		Other, net		$	40			$	12		$	20		$	66
	Gain (loss) on foreign currency transaction exposures		Other, net		(45		)		(15		)	(31		)	(72		)
	Net foreign currency gain (loss)		Other, net		$	(5	)		$	(3	)	$	(11	)	$	(6	)
	Topic 815 requires all derivative instruments to be recognized at their fair values as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. We determine the fair value of our derivative instruments using the framework prescribed by ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820), by considering the estimated amount we would receive or pay to transfer these instruments at the reporting date and by taking into account current interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, the creditworthiness of the counterparty for assets, and our creditworthiness for liabilities. In certain instances, we may utilize financial models to measure fair value. Generally, we use inputs that include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; other observable inputs for the asset or liability; and inputs derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data by correlation or other means. As of September 30, 2014, we have classified all of our derivative assets and liabilities within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy prescribed by Topic 820, as discussed below, because these observable inputs are available for substantially the full term of our derivative instruments.
	The following are the balances of our derivative assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
			As of
			September 30,				December 31,
	(in millions)	Location in Balance Sheet (1)	2014				2013
	Derivative Assets:
	Designated Hedging Instruments
	Currency hedge contracts	Prepaid and other current assets	$	143			$	117
	Currency hedge contracts	Other long-term assets	112				120
	Interest rate contracts	Prepaid and other current assets	7				1
	Interest rate contracts	Other long-term assets	10				—
			272				238
	Non-Designated Hedging Instruments
	Currency hedge contracts	Prepaid and other current assets	70				27
	Total Derivative Assets		$	342			$	265
	Derivative Liabilities:
	Designated Hedging Instruments
	Currency hedge contracts	Other current liabilities	$	2			$	13
Currency hedge contracts	Other long-term liabilities	2				19
Interest rate contracts	Other long-term liabilities	—				8
		4				40
Non-Designated Hedging Instruments
Currency hedge contracts	Other current liabilities	29				23
Total Derivative Liabilities		$	33			$	63
-1	We classify derivative assets and liabilities as current when the remaining term of the derivative contract is one year or less.
Other Fair Value Measurements
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
On a recurring basis, we measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value based upon quoted market prices, where available. Where quoted market prices or other observable inputs are not available, we apply valuation techniques to estimate fair value. Topic 820 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The categorization of financial assets and financial liabilities within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement of fair value. The three levels of the hierarchy are defined as follows:
•	Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities.
•	Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are other observable inputs, including quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities and market-corroborated inputs.
•	Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable inputs based on management’s best estimate of inputs market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date, including assumptions about risk.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis consist of the following as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	As of September 30, 2014														As of December 31, 2013
(in millions)	Level 1				Level 2				Level 3			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Money market and government funds	$	29			$	—			$	—		$	29		$	38	$	—	$	—	$	38
Currency hedge contracts	—				325				—			325			—		264		—		264
Interest rate contracts	—				17				—			17			—		1		—		1
	$	29			$	342			$	—		$	371		$	38	$	265	$	—	$	303
Liabilities
Currency hedge contracts	$	—			$	33			$	—		$	33		$	—	$	55	$	—	$	55
Accrued contingent consideration	—				—				363			363			—		—		501		501
Interest rate contracts	—				—				—			—			—		8		—		8
	$	—			$	33			$	363		$	396		$	—	$	63	$	501	$	564
Our investments in money market and government funds are generally classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices. These investments are classified as cash and cash equivalents within our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, in accordance with U.S. GAAP and our accounting policies.
In addition to $29 million invested in money market and government funds as of September 30, 2014, we had $48 million in short-term time deposits and $169 million in interest bearing and non-interest bearing bank accounts. In addition to $38 million invested in money market and government funds as of December 31, 2013, we had $31 million in short-term deposits and $148 million in interest bearing and non-interest bearing bank accounts.
Our recurring fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) relate solely to our contingent consideration liabilities. Refer to Note B - Acquisitions in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for a discussion of the changes in the fair value of our contingent consideration liabilities.
Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements
We hold certain assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in periods subsequent to initial recognition. The fair value of a cost method investment is not estimated if there are no identified events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. The aggregate carrying amount of our cost method investments was $25 million as of September 30, 2014 and $20 million as of December 31, 2013.
During the third quarter of 2014, we recorded $2 million of losses to write down certain investments to their fair values. These adjustments fell within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy due to the use of significant unobservable inputs to determine fair value. During the third quarter of 2013, we recorded $4 million of losses to write down certain investments to their fair values. These adjustments fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, due to the use of significant unobservable inputs to determine fair value.
During the first nine months of 2014, we recorded $177 million of losses to adjust our intangible asset balances to their fair value. During the first nine months of 2013, we recorded $476 million of losses, to adjust our goodwill and certain other intangible asset balances to their fair value. Refer to Note D - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for further information related to these charges and significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).
The fair value of our outstanding debt obligations was $4.657 billion as of September 30, 2014 and $4.602 billion as of December 31, 2013, which was determined by using primarily quoted market prices for our publicly registered senior notes, classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. Refer to Note F – Borrowings and Credit Arrangements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for a discussion of our debt obligations.

Borrowings_and_Credit_Arrangem

Borrowings and Credit Arrangements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
BORROWINGS AND CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS	'
	BORROWINGS AND CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS
	We had total debt of $4.252 billion as of September 30, 2014 and $4.240 billion as of December 31, 2013. The debt maturity schedule for the significant components of our debt obligations as of September 30, 2014 is as follows:
	(in millions)	2014			2015		2016		2017		2018		Thereafter		Total
	Senior notes	$	—		$	400	$	600	$	250	$	600	$	1,950	$	3,800
	Term loan	—			—		80		80		240		—		400
		$	—		$	400	$	680	$	330	$	840	$	1,950	$	4,200
		Note:	The table above does not include unamortized discounts associated with our senior notes, or amounts related to interest rate contracts used to hedge the fair value of certain of our senior notes.
	Revolving Credit Facility
	We maintain a $2.000 billion revolving credit facility, maturing in April 2017, with a global syndicate of commercial banks. Eurodollar and multicurrency loans under this revolving credit facility bear interest at LIBOR plus an interest margin of between 0.875 percent and 1.475 percent, based on our corporate credit ratings and consolidated leverage ratio (1.275 percent as of September 30, 2014). In addition, we are required to pay a facility fee based on our credit ratings, consolidated leverage ratio, and the total amount of revolving credit commitments, regardless of usage, under the agreement (0.225 percent as of September 30, 2014). There were no amounts borrowed under our revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.
	Our revolving credit facility agreement requires that we maintain certain financial covenants, as follows:
		Covenant		Actual as of
		Requirement		30-Sep-14
	Maximum leverage ratio (1)	3.5 times		2.5 times
	Minimum interest coverage ratio (2)	3.0 times		7.9 times
	-1	Ratio of total debt to consolidated EBITDA, as defined by the credit agreement, for the preceding four consecutive fiscal quarters.
	-2	Ratio of consolidated EBITDA, as defined by the credit agreement, to interest expense for the preceding four consecutive fiscal quarters.
	The credit agreement provides for an exclusion from the calculation of consolidated EBITDA, as defined by the agreement, through the credit agreement maturity, of any non-cash charges and up to $500 million in restructuring charges and restructuring-related expenses related to our current or future restructuring plans. As of September 30, 2014, we had $164 million of the restructuring charge exclusion remaining. In addition, any cash litigation payments (net of any cash litigation receipts), as defined by the agreement, are excluded from the calculation of consolidated EBITDA and any new debt issued to fund any tax deficiency payments is excluded from consolidated total debt, as defined in the agreement, provided that the sum of any excluded net cash litigation payments and any new debt issued to fund any tax deficiency payments shall not exceed $2.300 billion in the aggregate. As of September 30, 2014, we had $2.130 billion of the combined legal and debt exclusion remaining. As of and through September 30, 2014, we were in compliance with the required covenants.
	Any inability to maintain compliance with these covenants could require us to seek to renegotiate the terms of our credit facilities or seek waivers from compliance with these covenants, both of which could result in additional borrowing costs. Further, there can be no assurance that our lenders would agree to such new terms or grant such waivers.
	Term Loan
	We had $400 million outstanding under an unsecured term loan facility as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Term loan borrowings under this facility bear interest at LIBOR plus an interest margin of between 1.0 percent and 1.75 percent (currently 1.5 percent), based on our corporate credit ratings and consolidated leverage ratio. The term loan borrowings are payable over a five-year period, with quarterly principal payments of $20 million commencing in the first quarter of 2016 and the remaining principal amount due at the final maturity date in August 2018, and are repayable at any time without premium or penalty. Our term loan facility requires that we comply with certain covenants, including financial covenants with respect to maximum leverage and minimum interest coverage, consistent with our revolving credit facility. The maximum leverage ratio requirement is 3.5 times and our actual leverage ratio as of September 30, 2014 is 2.5 times. The minimum interest coverage ratio requirement is 3.0 times and our actual interest coverage ratio as of September 30, 2014 is 7.9 times.
	Senior Notes
	We had senior notes outstanding of $3.800 billion as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Our senior notes are publicly registered securities, are redeemable prior to maturity and are not subject to any sinking fund requirements. Our senior notes are unsecured, unsubordinated obligations and rank on parity with each other. These notes are effectively junior to borrowings under our credit and security facility and liabilities of our subsidiaries (see Other Arrangements below).
	Other Arrangements
	We also maintain a $300 million credit and security facility secured by our U.S. trade receivables maturing in June 2015, subject to further extension. The credit and security facility requires that we maintain a maximum leverage covenant consistent with our revolving credit facility. The maximum leverage ratio requirement is 3.5 times and our actual leverage ratio as of September 30, 2014 is 2.5 times. We had no borrowings outstanding under this facility as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	We have accounts receivable factoring programs in certain European countries that we account for as sales under ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing. These agreements provide for the sale of accounts receivable to third parties, without recourse, of up to approximately $285 million as of September 30, 2014. We have no retained interests in the transferred receivables, other than collection and administrative responsibilities and, once sold, the accounts receivable are no longer available to satisfy creditors in the event of bankruptcy. We de-recognized $135 million of receivables as of September 30, 2014 at an average interest rate of 2.9 percent, and $146 million as of December 31, 2013 at an average interest rate of 3.3 percent. Within Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece, the number of days our receivables are outstanding has remained above historical levels. We believe we have adequate allowances for doubtful accounts related to our Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece accounts receivable; however, we continue to monitor the European economic environment for any collectibility issues related to our outstanding receivables. During the first nine months of 2014, we received cash payments of approximately $80 million related to a government-funded settlement of long outstanding receivables in Spain. As of September 30, 2014, our net receivables in these countries greater than 180 days past due totaled $31 million, of which $13 million were past due greater than 365 days.
	In addition, we have uncommitted credit facilities with a commercial Japanese bank that provide for borrowings, promissory notes discounting and receivables factoring of up to 21.000 billion Japanese yen (approximately $191 million as of September 30, 2014). We de-recognized $147 million of notes receivable as of September 30, 2014 at an average interest rate of 1.8 percent and $147 million of notes receivable as of December 31, 2013 at an average interest rate of 1.8 percent. De-recognized accounts and notes receivable are excluded from trade accounts receivable, net in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had outstanding letters of credit of $78 million, which consisted primarily of bank guarantees and collateral for workers' compensation insurance arrangements. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, none of the beneficiaries had drawn upon the letters of credit or guarantees; accordingly, we did not recognize a related liability for our outstanding letters of credit in our consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013. We believe we will generate sufficient cash from operations to fund these arrangements and intend to fund these arrangements without drawing on the letters of credit.

Restructuring_Related_Activiti

Restructuring Related Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
RESTRUCTURING-RELATED ACTIVITIES	'
	RESTRUCTURING-RELATED ACTIVITIES
	On an ongoing basis, we monitor the dynamics of the economy, the healthcare industry, and the markets in which we compete. We continue to assess opportunities for improved operational effectiveness and efficiency, and better alignment of expenses with revenues, while preserving our ability to make the investments in research and development projects, capital and our people that we believe are essential to our long-term success. As a result of these assessments, we have undertaken various restructuring initiatives in order to enhance our growth potential and position us for long-term success. These initiatives are described below.
	2014 Restructuring Plan
	On October 22, 2013, the Board of Directors approved, and we committed to, a restructuring initiative (the 2014 Restructuring plan). The 2014 Restructuring plan is intended to build on the progress we have made to address financial pressures in a changing global marketplace, further strengthen our operational effectiveness and efficiency and support new growth investments. Key activities under the plan include continued implementation of our ongoing Plant Network Optimization (PNO) strategy, continued focus on driving operational efficiencies and ongoing business and commercial model changes. The PNO strategy is intended to simplify our manufacturing plant structure by transferring certain production lines among facilities. Other activities involve rationalizing organizational reporting structures to streamline various functions, eliminate bureaucracy, increase productivity and better align resources to business strategies and marketplace dynamics. These activities were initiated in the fourth quarter of 2013 and are expected to be substantially completed by the end of 2015.
	We estimate that the implementation of the 2014 Restructuring plan will result in total pre-tax charges of approximately $175 million to $225 million, and approximately $160 million to $210 million of these charges is estimated to result in cash outlays, of which we have made payments of $61 million to date. We have recorded related costs of $95 million since the inception of the plan, and recorded a portion of these expenses as restructuring charges and the remaining portion through other lines within our consolidated statements of operations.
	The following table provides a summary of our estimates of costs associated with the 2014 Restructuring plan by major type of cost:
	Type of cost	Total estimated amount expected to
		be incurred
	Restructuring charges:
	Termination benefits	$100 million to $120 million
	Other (1)	$10 million to $20 million
	Restructuring-related expenses:
	Other (2)	$65 million to $85 million
		$175 million to $225 million
	(1) Consists primarily of consultant fees and costs associated with contractual cancellations.
	(2) Comprised of other costs directly related to the 2014 Restructuring plan, including program management, accelerated depreciation, and costs to transfer product lines among facilities.
	2011 Restructuring Plan
	On July 26, 2011, our Board of Directors approved, and we committed to, a restructuring initiative (the 2011 Restructuring plan) designed to strengthen operational effectiveness and efficiencies, increase competitiveness and support new investments, thereby increasing shareholder value. Key activities under the 2011 Restructuring plan included standardizing and automating certain processes and activities; relocating select administrative and functional activities; rationalizing organizational reporting structures; leveraging preferred vendors; and other efforts to eliminate inefficiency. Among these efforts, we expanded our ability to deliver best-in-class global shared services for certain functions and divisions at several locations in emerging markets. This action was intended to enable us to grow our global commercial presence in key geographies and take advantage of many cost-reducing and productivity-enhancing opportunities. In addition, we undertook efforts to streamline various corporate functions, eliminate bureaucracy, increase productivity and better align corporate resources to our key business strategies. On January 25, 2013, our Board of Directors approved, and we committed to, an expansion of the 2011 Restructuring plan (the Expansion). The Expansion was intended to further strengthen our operational effectiveness and efficiencies and support new investments. Activities under the 2011 Restructuring plan were initiated in the third quarter of 2011 and all activities, including those related to the Expansion, were substantially completed by the end of 2013.
	The 2011 Restructuring plan, including the Expansion, is estimated to result in total pre-tax charges of approximately $289 million to $292 million, and approximately $287 million to $291 million of these charges is estimated to result in cash outlays, of which we have made payments of $287 million to date. We have recorded related costs of $288 million since the inception of the plan, and recorded a portion of these expenses as restructuring charges and the remaining portion through other lines within our consolidated statements of operations.
	The following provides a summary of our expected total costs associated with the 2011 Restructuring plan, including the Expansion, by major type of cost:
	Type of cost	Total estimated amount expected to
		be incurred
	Restructuring charges:
	Termination benefits	$138 million to $141 million
	Other (1)	$112 million
	Restructuring-related expenses:
	Other (2)	$39 million
		$289 million to $292 million
	-1	Includes primarily consulting fees, gains and losses on disposals of fixed assets and costs associated with contractual cancellations.
	-2	Comprised of other costs directly related to the 2011 Restructuring plan, including the Expansion, such as program management, accelerated depreciation, retention and infrastructure-related costs.
	Plant Network Optimization Program
	In January 2009, our Board of Directors approved, and we committed to, a PNO program, intended to simplify our manufacturing plant structure by transferring certain production lines among facilities and by closing certain other facilities. The program was intended to improve our overall gross profit margins. Activities under the PNO program were initiated in the first quarter of 2009 and were substantially completed during 2012.
	The PNO program resulted in total pre-tax charges of $126 million, and resulted in cash outlays of $103 million. We recorded a portion of these expenses as restructuring charges and the remaining portion through cost of products sold within our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
	The following provides a summary of our costs associated with the PNO program by major type of cost:
	Type of cost	Total amount incurred
	Restructuring charges:
	Termination benefits	$30 million
	Restructuring-related expenses:
	Accelerated depreciation	$22 million
	Transfer costs (1)	$74 million
		$126 million
	-1	Consists primarily of costs to transfer product lines among facilities, including costs of transfer teams, freight, idle facility and product line validations.
	In the aggregate, we recorded net restructuring charges pursuant to our restructuring plans of $2 million in the third quarter of 2014, $19 million in the third quarter of 2013, $37 million in the first nine months of 2014, and $55 million in the first nine months of 2013. During the first nine months of 2013, our restructuring charges were partially offset by a $19 million gain recognized on the sale of our Natick, Massachusetts headquarters. In addition, we recorded expenses within other lines of our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations related to our restructuring initiatives of $15 million in the third quarter of 2014, $7 million in the third quarter of 2013, $33 million in the first nine months of 2014, and $16 million in the first nine months of 2013.
	The following presents these costs (credits) by major type and line item within our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations, as well as by program:
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	(in millions)	Termination				Accelerated				Transfer				Fixed Asset			Other		Total
		Benefits				Depreciation				Costs				Write-offs
	Restructuring charges	$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—		$	2	$	2
	Restructuring-related expenses:
	Cost of products sold	—				—				9				—			—		9
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	—				1				—				—			5		6
		—				1				9				—			5		15
		$	—			$	1			$	9			$	—		$	7	$	17
	(in millions)	Termination				Accelerated				Transfer				Fixed Asset			Other		Total
		Benefits				Depreciation				Costs				Write-offs
	2014 Restructuring plan	$	(1	)		$	1			$	9			$	—		$	7	$	16
	2011 Restructuring plan (including the Expansion)	1				—				—				—			—		1
		$	—			$	1			$	9			$	—		$	7	$	17
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(in millions)	Termination				Accelerated				Transfer				Net Gain on Fixed Asset Disposals			Other		Total
		Benefits				Depreciation				Costs
	Restructuring charges	$	5			$	—			$	—			$	—		$	14	$	19
	Restructuring-related expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	—				1				—				—			6		7
	—				1				—				—			6		7
	$	5			$	1			$	—			$	—		$	20	$	26
(in millions)	Termination				Accelerated				Transfer				Net Gain on Fixed Asset Disposals			Other		Total
	Benefits				Depreciation				Costs
2011 Restructuring plan (including the Expansion)	$	5			$	1			$	—			$	—		$	20	$	26
	$	5			$	1			$	—			$	—		$	20	$	26
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
(in millions)	Termination				Accelerated				Transfer				Fixed Asset			Other		Total
	Benefits				Depreciation				Costs				Write-offs
Restructuring charges	$	19			$	—			$	—			$	—		$	18	$	37
Restructuring-related expenses:
Cost of products sold	—				—				15				—			—		15
Selling, general and administrative expenses	—				3				—				—			15		18
	—				3				15				—			15		33
	$	19			$	3			$	15			$	—		$	33	$	70
(in millions)	Termination				Accelerated				Transfer				Fixed Asset			Other		Total
	Benefits				Depreciation				Costs				Write-offs
2014 Restructuring plan	$	18			$	3			$	15			$	—		$	30	$	66
2011 Restructuring plan (including the Expansion)	1				—				—				—			3		4
	$	19			$	3			$	15			$	—		$	33	$	70
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
(in millions)	Termination				Accelerated				Transfer				Net Gain on Fixed Asset Disposals			Other		Total
	Benefits				Depreciation				Costs
Restructuring charges	$	26			$	—			$	—			$	(16	)	$	45	$	55
Restructuring-related expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	—				2				—				—			14		16
	—				2				—				—			14		16
	$	26			$	2			$	—			$	(16	)	$	59	$	71
(in millions)	Termination				Accelerated				Transfer				Net Gain on Fixed Asset Disposals			Other		Total
	Benefits				Depreciation				Costs
2011 Restructuring plan (including the Expansion)	$	30			$	2			$	—			$	(16	)	$	59	$	75
Plant Network Optimization program	(4		)		—				—				—			—		(4		)
	$	26			$	2			$	—			$	(16	)	$	59	$	71
Termination benefits represent amounts incurred pursuant to our on-going benefit arrangements and amounts for “one-time” involuntary termination benefits, and have been recorded in accordance with ASC Topic 712, Compensation – Non-retirement Postemployment Benefits and ASC Topic 420, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations (Topic 420). We expect to record additional termination benefits related to our restructuring initiatives in 2014 when we identify with more specificity the job classifications, functions and locations of the remaining head count to be eliminated. Other restructuring costs, which represent primarily consulting fees, are being recorded as incurred in accordance with Topic 420. Accelerated depreciation is being recorded over the adjusted remaining useful life of the related assets, and production line transfer costs are being recorded as incurred.
As of September 30, 2014, we have incurred cumulative restructuring charges related to our 2014 Restructuring plan, 2011 Restructuring plan (including the Expansion), and PNO program of $341 million and restructuring-related costs of $168 million since we committed to each plan. The following presents these costs by major type and by plan:
(in millions)	2014				2011				Plant				Total
	Restructuring				Restructuring				Network
	plan				plan (including the Expansion)				Optimization program
Termination benefits	$	47			$	137			$	30			$	214
Fixed asset write-offs	—				(1		)		—				(1		)
Other	15				113				—				128
Total restructuring charges	62				249				30				341
Accelerated depreciation	3				5				22				30
Transfer costs	15				—				74				89
Other	15				34				—				49
Restructuring-related expenses	33				39				96				168
	$	95			$	288			$	126			$	509
We made cash payments of $27 million in the third quarter of 2014 and $80 million in the first nine months of 2014 associated with restructuring initiatives pursuant to these plans, and as of September 30, 2014, we had made total cash payments of $451 million related to our 2014 Restructuring plan, 2011 Restructuring plan (including the Expansion), and PNO program since committing to each plan. These payments were made using cash generated from operations, and are comprised of the following:
(in millions)	2014				2011				Plant				Total
	Restructuring				Restructuring				Network
	plan				plan (including the Expansion)				Optimization program
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Termination benefits	$	7			$	2			$	—			$	9
Transfer costs	9				—				—				9
Other	7				2				—				9
	$	23			$	4			$	—			$	27
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Termination benefits	$	19			$	9			$	—			$	28
Transfer costs	15				—				—				15
Other	27				10				—				37
	$	61			$	19			$	—			$	80
Program to Date
Termination benefits	$	19			$	133			$	30			$	182
Transfer costs	15				—				73				88
Other	27				154				—				181
	$	61			$	287			$	103			$	451
Our restructuring liability is primarily comprised of accruals for termination benefits. The following is a rollforward of the termination benefit liability associated with our 2014 Restructuring plan and 2011 Restructuring plan (including the Expansion), which is reported as a component of accrued expenses included in our accompanying unaudited condensed balance sheets:
(in millions)		2014				2011				Total
		Restructuring				Restructuring
		plan				plan (including the Expansion)
Accrued as of December 31, 2013		$	29			$	12			$	41
Charges (credits)		18				1				19
Cash payments		(19		)		(9		)		(28		)
Accrued as of September 30, 2014		$	28			$	4			$	32
In addition to our accrual for termination benefits, we had a $3 million liability as of September 30, 2014 and an $8 million liability as of December 31, 2013 for other restructuring-related items.

Supplemental_Balance_Sheet_Inf

Supplemental Balance Sheet Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Supplemental Balance Sheet Information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures	'
	SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
	Components of selected captions in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
	Trade accounts receivable, net
		As of
	(in millions)	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Accounts receivable	$	1,346		$	1,419
	Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	(75		)	(81		)
	Less: allowance for sales returns	(38		)	(31		)
		$	1,233		$	1,307
	The following is a rollforward of our allowance for doubtful accounts for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(in millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	80		$	84		$	81		$	88
	Charges to expenses	—			2			4			7
	Utilization of allowances	(5		)	(1		)	(10		)	(10		)
	Ending balance	$	75		$	85		$	75		$	85
	Inventories
		As of
	(in millions)	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Finished goods	$	666		$	598
	Work-in-process	118			90
	Raw materials	205			209
		$	989		$	897
	Property, plant and equipment, net
		As of
	(in millions)	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Land	$	80		$	81
	Buildings and improvements	942			917
	Equipment, furniture and fixtures	2,580			2,461
	Capital in progress	186			211
		3,788			3,670
	Less: accumulated depreciation	2,266			2,124
		$	1,522		$	1,546
	Depreciation expense was $71 million for the third quarter of 2014, $72 million for the third quarter of 2013, $205 million for the first nine months of 2014, and $199 million for the first nine months of 2013.
	Accrued expenses
		As of
	(in millions)	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Payroll and related liabilities	$	449		$	488
	Accrued contingent consideration	178			148
	Legal reserves	75			84
	Other	586			628
		$	1,288		$	1,348
	Other long-term liabilities
		As of
	(in millions)	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Accrued income taxes	$	1,260		$	1,283
	Legal reserves	870			523
	Accrued contingent consideration	185			353
	Other long-term liabilities	409			410
		$	2,724		$	2,569
	Accrued warranties
	We offer warranties on certain of our product offerings. The majority of our warranty liability as of September 30, 2014 related to implantable devices offered by our CRM business, which include defibrillator and pacemaker systems. Our CRM products come with a standard limited warranty covering the replacement of these devices. We offer a full warranty for a portion of the period post-implant, and a partial warranty over the substantial remainder of the useful life of the product. We estimate the costs that we may incur under our warranty programs based on the number of units sold, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims and cost per claim, and record a liability equal to these estimated costs as cost of products sold at the time the product sale occurs. We reassess the adequacy of our recorded warranty liabilities on a quarterly basis and adjust these amounts as necessary. The current portion of our warranty accrual is included in other accrued expenses in the table above and the non-current portion of our warranty accrual is included in other long-term liabilities in the table above. Changes in our product warranty accrual during the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following (in millions):
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2014			2013
	Beginning Balance	$	28		$	26
	Provision	6			11
	Settlements/reversals	(9		)	(9		)
	Ending Balance	$	25		$	28

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	INCOME TAXES
	Our effective tax rates from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, were negative 1,343.2 percent and 87.6 percent, respectively. For the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 our effective tax rates from continuing operations were negative 296.0 percent and 18.9 percent, respectively. The change in our reported tax rate for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, relates primarily to the impact of certain receipts and charges that are taxed at different rates than our effective tax rate, including debt extinguishment charges, goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges, acquisition- and divestiture-related items, and litigation- and restructuring-related items. In addition, the reported tax rate in the third quarter of 2013 was affected favorably by discrete tax items, primarily related to re-measurement of uncertain tax positions, while the first nine months of 2013 was favorably affected by discrete tax items primarily related to the reinstatement of tax legislation that was retroactively applied, offset in part by the resolution of the uncertain tax positions related to audit settlements and findings.
	As of September 30, 2014, we had $1.043 billion of gross unrecognized tax benefits, of which a net $933 million, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate. As of December 31, 2013, we had $1.069 billion of gross unrecognized tax benefits, of which a net $939 million, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate.
	During the first quarter of 2014, we received a Revenue Agent Report from the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) reflecting significant proposed audit adjustments for our 2008, 2009 and 2010 tax years based upon the same transfer pricing methodologies that are currently being contested in U.S. Tax Court for our tax years from 2001 to 2007. As with the prior years, we disagree with the transfer pricing methodologies being applied by the IRS and we expect to contest any adjustments received through applicable IRS and judicial procedures, as appropriate. We believe that our income tax reserves associated with these matters are adequate as of September 30, 2014. However, final resolution is uncertain and could have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, there were no other material changes to significant unresolved matters with the IRS or foreign tax authorities from what we disclosed in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	We recognize interest and penalties related to income taxes as a component of income tax expense. We had $445 million accrued for gross interest and penalties as of September 30, 2014 and $402 million as of December 31, 2013. The increase in gross interest and penalties was $43 million, recognized in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. We recognized net tax expense related to interest and penalties of $9 million during the third quarter of 2014, $9 million during the third quarter of 2013, $28 million in the first nine months of 2014, and $28 million in the first nine months of 2013.
	It is reasonably possible that within the next 12 months we will resolve multiple issues including transfer pricing and transactional-related issues with foreign, federal and state taxing authorities, in which case we could record a reduction in our balance of unrecognized tax benefits of up to approximately $9 million.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	The medical device market in which we primarily participate is largely technology driven. As a result, intellectual property rights, particularly patents and trade secrets, play a significant role in product development and differentiation. Over the years, there has been litigation initiated against us by others, including our competitors, claiming that our current or former product offerings infringe patents owned or licensed by them. Intellectual property litigation is inherently complex and unpredictable. In addition, competing parties frequently file multiple suits to leverage patent portfolios across product lines, technologies and geographies and to balance risk and exposure between the parties. In some cases, several competitors are parties in the same proceeding, or in a series of related proceedings, or litigate multiple features of a single class of devices. These forces frequently drive settlement not only for individual cases, but also for a series of pending and potentially related and unrelated cases. Although monetary and injunctive relief is typically sought, remedies and restitution are generally not determined until the conclusion of the trial court proceedings and can be modified on appeal. Accordingly, the outcomes of individual cases are difficult to time, predict or quantify and are often dependent upon the outcomes of other cases in other geographies.
	During recent years, we successfully negotiated closure of several long-standing legal matters and have received favorable legal rulings in several other matters; however, there continues to be outstanding intellectual property litigation. Adverse outcomes in one or more of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our ability to sell certain products and on our operating margins, financial position, results of operations and/or liquidity.
	In the normal course of business, product liability, securities and commercial claims are asserted against us. Similar claims may be asserted against us in the future related to events not known to management at the present time. We maintain an insurance policy providing limited coverage against securities claims, and we are substantially self-insured with respect to product liability claims and fully self-insured with respect to intellectual property infringement claims. The absence of significant third-party insurance coverage increases our potential exposure to unanticipated claims or adverse decisions. Product liability claims, securities and commercial litigation, and other legal proceedings in the future, regardless of their outcome, could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and/or liquidity.
	In addition, like other companies in the medical device industry, we are subject to extensive regulation by national, state and local government agencies in the United States and other countries in which we operate. From time to time we are the subject of qui tam actions and governmental investigations often involving regulatory, marketing and other business practices. These qui tam actions and governmental investigations could result in the commencement of civil and criminal proceedings, substantial fines, penalties and administrative remedies and have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and/or liquidity.
	We record losses for claims in excess of the limits of purchased insurance in earnings at the time and to the extent they are probable and estimable. In accordance with ASC Topic 450, Contingencies, we accrue anticipated costs of settlement, damages, losses for general product liability claims and, under certain conditions, costs of defense, based on historical experience or to the extent specific losses are probable and estimable. Otherwise, we expense these costs as incurred. If the estimate of a probable loss is a range and no amount within the range is more likely, we accrue the minimum amount of the range.
	Our accrual for legal matters that are probable and estimable was $945 million as of September 30, 2014 and $607 million as of December 31, 2013, and includes estimated costs of settlement, damages and defense. The increase in our legal accrual was primarily due to $399 million of litigation-related charges during the first nine months of 2014. During the first nine months of 2013 we recorded $206 million of litigation-related charges. We continue to assess certain litigation and claims to determine the amounts, if any, that management believes will be paid as a result of such claims and litigation and, therefore, additional losses may be accrued and paid in the future, which could materially adversely impact our operating results, cash flows and/or our ability to comply with our debt covenants.
	In management's opinion, we are not currently involved in any legal proceedings other than those disclosed in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014 and those specifically identified below, which, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operations and/or cash flows. Unless included in our legal accrual or otherwise indicated below, a range of loss associated with any individual material legal proceeding cannot be estimated.
	Patent Litigation
	On May 19, 2005, G. David Jang, M.D. filed suit against us alleging breach of contract relating to certain patent rights covering stent technology. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California seeking monetary damages and rescission of contract. After a Markman ruling relating to the Jang patent rights, Dr. Jang stipulated to the dismissal of certain claims alleged in the complaint with a right to appeal and the parties subsequently agreed to settle the other claims. In May 2007, Dr. Jang filed an appeal with respect to the remaining patent claims and in July 2008, the Court of Appeals vacated the District Court's consent judgment and remanded the case back to the District Court for further clarification. In August 2011, the District Court entered a stipulated judgment that we did not infringe the Jang patent. Dr. Jang filed an appeal on September 21, 2011 and on August 22, 2012, the Court of Appeals vacated the District Court's judgment and remanded the case to the District Court for further proceedings. On April 18, 2014, the case was stayed pending consideration of an interlocutory appeal. September 16, 2014, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit denied our request for an interlocutory appeal.
	On August 2, 2013, Medtronic Ardian Luxembourg S.a.r.l. filed a complaint against Boston Scientific Corporation and Boston Scientific Medizintechnik, GmbH in the Düsseldorf District Court in Germany alleging that the sale of our Vessix renal denervation product infringes a German patent owned by Medtronic Ardian. A hearing is scheduled for January 15, 2015.
	On February 18, 2014, Atlas IP, LLC filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida alleging that the sale of our LATITUDE® Patient Management System and implantable devices that communicate with the LATITUDE® device infringe a patent owned by Atlas. On July 9, 2014, the District Court granted our motion to transfer venue to the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota.
	On September 22, 2014, The Board of Trustees for the University of Alabama filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama alleging that the sale of our cardiac resynchronization therapy devices infringe a patent owned by the University of Alabama.
	On October 14, 2014, MK Optics, LLC filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware alleging that the sale of our Spyglass Direct Visualization System infringes a patent owned by MK Optics.
	Product Liability Litigation
	Fewer than ten individual lawsuits remain pending in various state and federal jurisdictions against Guidant Corporation (Guidant) alleging personal injuries associated with defibrillators or pacemakers involved in certain 2005 and 2006 product communications. Further, we are aware of approximately 30 Guidant product liability lawsuits pending in international jurisdictions associated with defibrillators or pacemakers, including devices involved in the 2005 and 2006 product communications. Six of these suits are pending in Canada and were filed as class actions, four of which are stayed pending the outcome of two lead class actions. On April 10, 2008, the Justice of Ontario Court certified a class of persons in whom defibrillators were implanted in Canada and a class of family members with derivative claims. On May 8, 2009, the Justice of Ontario Court certified a class of persons in whom pacemakers were implanted in Canada and a class of family members with derivative claims. In each case, these matters generally seek monetary damages from us. The parties in the defibrillator class action have reached an agreement in principle to settle the matter for approximately $3 million. The presiding judge approved the settlement at a hearing on March 24, 2014. We paid the initial required payments during the second quarter of 2014 and funded the publication of the settlement notice during the third quarter of 2014.
	As of November 4, 2014, there were over 24,000 product liability cases or claims related to transvaginal surgical mesh products designed to treat stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse pending against us. The cases are pending in various federal and state courts in the United States and include eight putative class actions. There were also fewer than 20 cases in Canada, inclusive of three putative class actions, and fewer than 10 claims in the United Kingdom. Generally, the plaintiffs allege personal injury associated with use of our transvaginal surgical mesh products. The plaintiffs assert design and manufacturing claims, failure to warn, breach of warranty, fraud, violations of state consumer protection laws and loss of consortium claims. Over 2,500 of the cases have been specially assigned to one judge in state court in Massachusetts. On February 7, 2012, the Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation (MDL) established MDL-2326 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and transferred the federal court transvaginal surgical mesh cases to MDL-2326 for coordinated pretrial proceedings. During the fourth quarter of 2013, we received written discovery requests from certain state attorneys general offices regarding our transvaginal surgical mesh products. We have responded to those requests. We have established a product liability accrual for known and estimated future cases and claims asserted against us as well as costs of defense thereof associated with our transvaginal surgical mesh products. While we believe that our accrual associated with this matter is adequate, changes to this accrual may be required in the future as additional information becomes available. We intend to vigorously contest the cases and claims asserted against us; however, the final resolution is uncertain and could have a material impact on our results of operations, financial condition and/or liquidity. Initial trials involving our transvaginal surgical mesh products have resulted in both favorable and unfavorable judgments for us.  We do not believe that the judgment in any one trial is representative of potential outcomes of all cases or claims related to our transvaginal surgical mesh products.
	Governmental Investigations and Qui Tam Matters
	On June 27, 2008, the Republic of Iraq filed a complaint against our wholly-owned subsidiary, BSSA France, and 92 other defendants in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York. The complaint alleges that the defendants acted improperly in connection with the sale of products under the United Nations Oil for Food Program. The complaint also alleges Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) violations, conspiracy to commit fraud and the making of false statements and improper payments, and it seeks monetary and punitive damages. On February 6, 2013, the District Court dismissed the complaint with prejudice on standing and jurisdictional grounds. On September 18, 2014, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the District Court’s decision to dismiss the complaint with prejudice. On October 2, 2014, the plaintiff filed a petition for rehearing en banc.
	On August 3, 2012, we were served with a qui tam complaint that had previously been filed under seal against Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corp. in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey on March 2, 2011. On August 8, 2012, we learned that the federal government had previously declined to intervene in this matter. The relators’ complaint, now unsealed, alleges that Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corp. violated the federal and various states' false claims acts through submission of fraudulent bills for implanted devices, under-reporting of certain adverse events, and promotion of off-label uses. On September 10, 2012, the relators filed an amended complaint revising and restating certain of the claims in the original complaint. Our motion to dismiss, filed subsequently, was denied on May 31, 2013, and on June 28, 2013, we answered the amended complaint and brought certain counterclaims arising from relators’ unauthorized removal of documents from the business during their employments, which the relators moved to dismiss on July 22, 2013. The Court denied relators’ motion to dismiss the counterclaims on September 4, 2014.
	On July 11, 2014, we were served with a subpoena from the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. The subpoena seeks information relating to BridgePoint Medical, Inc., which we acquired in October 2012, including information relating to its sale of CrossBoss and Stingray products, educational and training activities that relate to those sales and our acquisition of BridgePoint Medical. We are cooperating with this request.
	Other Proceedings
	On September 25, 2006, Johnson & Johnson filed a lawsuit against us, Guidant and Abbott Laboratories in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The complaint alleges that Guidant breached certain provisions of the amended merger agreement between Johnson & Johnson and Guidant (Merger Agreement) as well as the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing. The complaint further alleges that Abbott and we tortiously interfered with the Merger Agreement by inducing Guidant's breach. The complaint seeks certain factual findings, damages in an amount no less than $5.5 billion and attorneys' fees, costs, and interest. In August 2007, the judge dismissed the tortious interference claims against us and Abbott and the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing claim against Guidant. On June 20, 2011, Guidant filed a motion for summary judgment, and the hearing on this motion was held on July 25, 2012. On July 7, 2014, the judge denied Guidant’s motion. The bench trial is scheduled to begin on November 20, 2014.
	On October 5, 2007, Dr. Tassilo Bonzel filed a complaint against Pfizer, Inc. and our Schneider subsidiaries and us in the District Court in Kassel, Germany alleging that a 1995 license agreement related to a catheter patent is invalid under German law and seeking monetary damages. In June 2009, the District Court dismissed all but one of Dr. Bonzel's claims and in October 2009, he added new claims. We opposed the addition of the new claims. The District Court ordered Dr. Bonzel to select the claims he would pursue and in January 2011, he made that selection. A hearing was held on March 28, 2014 and a decision was made to take evidence at a hearing to be set at a later date.
	On September 28, 2011, we served a complaint against Mirowski Family Ventures LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana for a declaratory judgment that we have paid all royalties owed and did not breach any contractual or fiduciary obligations arising out of a license agreement. Mirowski answered and filed counterclaims requesting damages. On May 13, 2013, Mirowski Family Ventures served us with a complaint alleging breach of contract in Montgomery County Circuit Court, Maryland, and they amended this complaint on August 1, 2013. On July 29, 2013, the Indiana case was dismissed. On September 10, 2013, we removed the case to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. On June 5, 2014, the District Court granted Mirowski’s motion to remand the case to the Montgomery County Circuit Court. On September 24, 2014, following a jury verdict against us, the Montgomery County Circuit Court entered a judgment that we breached our license agreement with Mirowski and awarded damages of $308 million. On October 28, 2014, the Montgomery County Circuit Court denied our post-trial motions seeking to overturn the judgment. We plan to seek to overturn the judgment through the appeals process.
	Refer to Note I - Income Taxes for information regarding our tax litigation.
	Matters Concluded Since December 31, 2013
	On February 1, 2008, Wyeth Corporation (Wyeth) and Cordis Corporation filed an amended complaint for patent infringement against Abbott Laboratories, adding us and Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. as additional defendants to the complaint. The suit alleged that the PROMUS® coronary stent system, supplied to us by Abbott, infringes three U.S. patents owned by Wyeth and licensed to Cordis. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey seeking monetary and injunctive relief. Wyeth and Cordis subsequently withdrew their infringement claim as to one of the patents, and the District Court found the remaining two patents invalid. Wyeth and Cordis filed an appeal and, on June 26, 2013, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the District Court’s judgment in favor of Boston Scientific. On October 13, 2013, Wyeth’s motion for rehearing or rehearing en banc was denied. The deadline for further appeals lapsed on January 13, 2014.
	On May 25, 2010, G. David Jang, M.D. filed suit against Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. and us alleging breach of contract relating to certain patent rights covering stent technology. In October 2011, the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware entered judgment in favor of us on the pleadings. Dr. Jang filed an appeal on August 28, 2012. On September 5, 2013, the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit vacated the ruling and remanded the case to the District Court. On March 31, 2014, the parties entered into a confidential settlement agreement. On April 2, 2014, the case was dismissed.
	On May 16, 2013, Vascular Solutions, Inc. filed suit against us, alleging that our Guidezilla™ guide extension catheter infringes three U.S. patents owned by Vascular Solutions. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota seeking monetary and injunctive relief. On May 28, 2013, Vascular Solutions filed an amended complaint adding an allegation of copyright infringement. On June 10, 2013, Vascular Solutions filed a motion requesting a preliminary injunction. On July 11, 2013, we answered the amended complaint and filed a counterclaim against Vascular Solutions, alleging that its Guideliner™ guide extension catheter infringes a U.S. patent owned by us. On December 12, 2013, the District Court granted the motion for a preliminary injunction and on December 26, 2013, we filed an appeal. On April 15, 2014, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit vacated the preliminary injunction. On July 30, 2014, we and Vascular Solutions entered into a confidential settlement agreement and the case was subsequently dismissed.
	On September 23, 2013, Kardiametrics, LLC filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware alleging that the sale of our FilterWire EZ Embolic Protection System, Sterling balloon catheters, Carotid NexStent and Carotid WallStent products infringe two patents owned by Kardiametrics. On January 24, 2014, we filed a motion to dismiss the case or, in the alternative, to stay the case pending an arbitration. On February 18, 2014, Kardiametrics dismissed its original complaint and filed a new complaint. On March 14, 2014, we filed a motion to dismiss the new case or, in the alternative, to stay the new case pending an arbitration. On May 28, 2014, Kardiametrics voluntarily dismissed its case.

Weighted_Average_Shares_Outsta

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding [Text Block]	'
	WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
		Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,
	(in millions)	2014	2013		2014	2013
	Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	1,325.50	1,340.30		1,323.50	1,345.20
	Net effect of common stock equivalents	22.1	—	*	23.8	—	*
	Weighted average shares outstanding - assuming dilution	1,347.60	1,340.30		1,347.30	1,345.20
	* We generated net losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013. Our weighted-average shares outstanding for earnings per share calculations exclude common stock equivalents of 23.6 million for the third quarter of 2013 and 17.2 million for the first nine months of 2013 due to our net loss position in these periods.
	Weighted average shares outstanding, assuming dilution, excludes the impact of 13 million stock options for the third quarter of 2014, 18 million stock options for the third quarter of 2013, 13 million stock options for the first nine months of 2014, and 18 million stock options for the first nine months of 2013, due to the exercise prices of these stock options being greater than the average fair market value of our common stock during the period.
	We issued approximately two million shares of our common stock in the third quarter of 2014, six million shares of our common stock in the third quarter of 2013, 13 million shares of our common stock in the first nine months of 2014, and 16 million shares of our common stock in the first nine months of 2013, following the exercise or vesting of underlying stock options or deferred stock units, or purchases under our employee stock purchase plans. We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during the third quarter of 2014. We repurchased seven million shares of our common stock during the third quarter of 2013 for approximately $75 million, 10 million shares of our common stock during the first nine months of 2014 for approximately $125 million, and 32 million shares of our common stock during the first nine months of 2013 for approximately $275 million, pursuant to our authorized repurchase programs as discussed in Note L – Stockholders' Equity to our audited financial statements contained in Item 8 of our 2013 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
SEGMENT REPORTING	'
	SEGMENT REPORTING
	Effective as of January 1, 2013, we reorganized our business from geographic regions to fully operationalized global business units. Following the reorganization, based on information regularly reviewed by our chief operating decision maker, we have three reportable segments comprised of: Cardiovascular, Rhythm Management, and MedSurg. Our reportable segments represent an aggregate of operating segments.
	Each of our reportable segments generates revenues from the sale of medical devices. We measure and evaluate our reportable segments based on segment net sales and operating income, excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency and sales from divested businesses. Sales generated from reportable segments and divested businesses, as well as operating results of reportable segments and corporate expenses, are based on internally-derived standard currency exchange rates, which may differ from year to year, and do not include intersegment profits. We restated segment information for the prior period based on our internally-derived standard currency exchange rates used for the current period in order to remove the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuation. In addition, we realigned certain product lines from Endoscopy to Peripheral Interventions as of January 1, 2014, which did not have a material impact on the restated information. We exclude from segment operating income certain corporate-related expenses and certain charges or credits that our chief operating decision maker considers to be non-recurring and/or non-operational, such as amounts related to goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges; acquisition-, divestiture-, restructuring- and litigation-related charges and credits; and amortization expense. Although we exclude these amounts from segment operating income, they are included in reported consolidated operating income (loss) and are included in the reconciliation below.
	A reconciliation of the totals reported for the reportable segments to the applicable line items in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations is as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(in millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
					(restated)						(restated)
	Net sales
	Interventional Cardiology	$	514		$	474		$	1,543		$	1,493
	Peripheral Interventions	217			200			631			597
	Cardiovascular	731			674			2,174			2,090
	Cardiac Rhythm Management	482			465			1,441			1,416
	Electrophysiology	54			35			167			105
	Rhythm Management	536			500			1,608			1,521
	Endoscopy	340			319			990			939
	Urology and Women's Health	138			131			397			372
	Neuromodulation	115			116			338			316
	MedSurg	593			566			1,725			1,627
	Net sales allocated to reportable segments	1,860			1,740			5,507			5,238
	Sales generated from divested businesses	1			2			4			57
	Impact of foreign currency fluctuations	(15		)	(7		)	(18		)	10
		$	1,846		$	1,735		$	5,493		$	5,305
	Income (loss) before income taxes
	Cardiovascular	$	201		$	175		$	565		$	515
	Rhythm Management	76			63			209			176
	MedSurg	192			176			535			487
	Operating income allocated to reportable segments	469			414			1,309			1,178
	Corporate expenses and currency exchange	(90		)	(78		)	(205		)	(168		)
	Goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges; and acquisition-, divestiture-, restructuring-, and litigation related charges or credits	(206		)	(132		)	(586		)	(711		)
	Amortization expense	(109		)	(101		)	(327		)	(305		)
	Operating income (loss)	64			103			191			(6		)
	Other expense, net	(61		)	(143		)	(146		)	(276		)
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	3		$	(40	)	$	45		$	(282	)

Changes_in_Other_Comprehensive

Changes in Other Comprehensive Income (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Changes in Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]	'
	CHANGES IN OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	The following table provides the reclassifications out of other comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013. Amounts in the chart below are presented net of tax.
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	(in millions)	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Unrealized gains/losses on derivative financial instruments			Defined benefit pension items / Other			Total
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	(24	)	$	86		$	(20	)	$	42
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(15		)	99			—			84
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			(16		)	—			(16		)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income	(15		)	83			—			68
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	(39	)	$	169		$	(20	)	$	110
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(in millions)	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Unrealized gains/losses on derivative financial instruments			Defined benefit pension items / Other			Total
	Balance as of June 30, 2013	$	(28	)	$	153		$	(41	)	$	84
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	10			(29		)	—			(19		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			(9		)	—			(9		)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income	10			(38		)	—			(28		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	(18	)	$	115		$	(41	)	$	56
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	(in millions)	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Unrealized gains/losses on derivative financial instruments			Defined benefit pension items / Other			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	(16	)	$	141		$	(19	)	$	106
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(23		)	72			(1		)	48
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			(44		)	—			(44		)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income	(23		)	28			(1		)	4
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	(39	)	$	169		$	(20	)	$	110
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(in millions)	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Unrealized gains/losses on derivative financial instruments			Defined benefit pension items / Other			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	(26	)	$	34		$	(41	)	$	(33	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	8			91			—			99
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			(10		)	—			(10		)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income	8			81			—			89
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	(18	)	$	115		$	(41	)	$	56
	The income tax impact of the amounts in other comprehensive income for unrealized gains/losses on derivative financial instruments before reclassifications was a expense of $57 million in the third quarter of 2014, a benefit of $16 million in the third quarter of 2013, an expense of $42 million in the first nine months of 2014, and an expense of $53 million in the first nine months of 2013. The gains and losses on derivative financial instruments reclassified were reduced by income tax impacts of $9 million in the third quarter of 2014, $6 million in the third quarter of 2013, $25 million in the first nine months of 2014, and there was $5 million impact in the first nine months of 2013,. Refer to Note E – Fair Value Measurements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further detail on the reclassifications related to derivatives.

New_Accounting_Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]	'
	NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
	Standards Implemented
	ASC Update No. 2013-11
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. Update No. 2013-11 requires that entities present an unrecognized tax benefit, or portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, as a reduction to a deferred tax asset in the financial statements for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, with certain exceptions. We adopted Update No. 2013-11 beginning in our first quarter ended March 31, 2014. The adoption of Update No. 2013-11 did not impact our results of operations or financial position.
	Standards to be Implemented
	ASC Update No. 2014-08
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. Update No. 2014-08 changed the criteria for reporting discontinued operations and enhanced convergence of the FASB's and the International Accounting Standard Board's (IASB) reporting requirements for discontinued operations. We are required to apply this amendment, prospectively to: (1) all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and interim periods within those years and (2) all businesses that, on acquisition, are classified as held for sale that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and interim periods within those years. The adoption of Update No. 2014-08 is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
	ASC Update No. 2014-09
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Update No. 2014-09 provides enhancements to the quality and consistency of how revenue is reported while also improving comparability in the financial statements of companies using International Financial Reporting Standards and U.S. GAAP. The core principle requires entities to recognize revenue in a manner that depicts the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration an entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. We are required to apply Update No. 2014-09 for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early application is not permitted. We are in the process of determining the effect, if any, that the adoption of this standard will have on our financial position or results of operations.
	ASC Update No. 2014-10
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2014-10, Development Stage Entities (Topic 915): Elimination of Certain Financial Reporting Requirements, Including an Amendment to Variable Interest Entities Guidance in Topic 810, Consolidation. The amendments remove the definition of a development stage entity from the Master Glossary of the Accounting Standards Codification, thereby removing the financial reporting distinction between development stage entities and other reporting entities. The amendments also eliminate an exception provided to development stage entities in Topic 810, Consolidation, for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity on the basis of the amount of investment equity that is at risk. The elimination of the exception may change the consolidation analysis, consolidation decision, and disclosure requirements for a reporting entity that has an interest in an entity in the development stage. We are required to apply Update No. 2014-10 for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. The adoption of Update No. 2014-10 is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
	ASC Update No. 2014-11
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. Update No. 2014-11 changes the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and repurchase financings and expands disclosure requirements. The amendments (1) require entities to account for repurchase-to-maturity transactions as secured borrowings, (2) eliminate accounting guidance on linked repurchase financing transactions, and (3) expand disclosure requirements related to certain transfers of financial assets that are accounted for as sales and certain transfers accounted for as secured borrowings. Update No. 2014-11 also clarifies that repurchase and securities lending transactions that do not meet all of the criteria in ASC 860-10-40-5 should be accounted for as secured borrowings. We are required to apply the accounting changes and disclosure for certain transactions accounted for as a sale for periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and early application is not permitted. The disclosure for transactions accounted for as secured borrowings is required for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and for interim periods within those years. The disclosures are not required to be presented for comparative periods before the effective date. The adoption of Update No. 2014-11 is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
	ASC Update No. 2014-13
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2014-13, Consolidation (Topic 810): Measuring the Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities of a Consolidated Collateralized Financing Entity. The fair value of the financial assets of a collateralized financing entity, as determined under GAAP, may differ from the fair value of its financial liabilities even when the financial liabilities have recourse only to the financial assets. Update 2014-13 provides an alternative to Topic 820 for measuring the financial assets and the financial liabilities of a consolidated collateralized financing entity to eliminate that difference. When the measurement alternative is not elected for a consolidated collateralized financing entity within the scope of this Update, the amendments clarify that (1) the fair value of the financial assets and the fair value of the financial liabilities of the consolidated collateralized financing entity should be measured using the requirements of Topic 820 and (2) any differences in the fair value of the financial assets and the fair value of the financial liabilities of that consolidated collateralized financing entity should be reflected in earnings and attributed to the reporting entity in the consolidated statement of income (loss). The amendments to Update 2014-13 are effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual period. The adoption of Update No. 2014-12 is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
	ASC Update No. 2014-15
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern: Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40). Update 2014-15 requires management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern every reporting period, and provide certain disclosures if management has substantial doubt about the entities ability to operate as a going concern, or an express statement if not, by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. Update 2014-15 is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. The adoption of Update No. 2014-15 is not expected to have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.

New_Accounting_Pronouncements_

New Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
ASC Update No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740) [Policy Text Block]	'
	ASC Update No. 2013-11
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. Update No. 2013-11 requires that entities present an unrecognized tax benefit, or portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, as a reduction to a deferred tax asset in the financial statements for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, with certain exceptions. We adopted Update No. 2013-11 beginning in our first quarter ended March 31, 2014. The adoption of Update No. 2013-11 did not impact our results of operations or financial position
ASC Update No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property Plant and Equipment (Topic 360) [Policy Text Block]	'
	ASC Update No. 2014-08
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. Update No. 2014-08 changed the criteria for reporting discontinued operations and enhanced convergence of the FASB's and the International Accounting Standard Board's (IASB) reporting requirements for discontinued operations. We are required to apply this amendment, prospectively to: (1) all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and interim periods within those years and (2) all businesses that, on acquisition, are classified as held for sale that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and interim periods within those years. The adoption of Update No. 2014-08 is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
ASC Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) [Policy Text Block]	'
	ASC Update No. 2014-09
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Update No. 2014-09 provides enhancements to the quality and consistency of how revenue is reported while also improving comparability in the financial statements of companies using International Financial Reporting Standards and U.S. GAAP. The core principle requires entities to recognize revenue in a manner that depicts the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration an entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. We are required to apply Update No. 2014-09 for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early application is not permitted. We are in the process of determining the effect, if any, that the adoption of this standard will have on our financial position or results of operations.
ASC Update No. 2014-10, Development Stage Entities (Topic 915): Elimination of Certain Financial Reporting Requirements, Including an Amendment to Variable Interest Entities Guidance in Topic 810 [Policy Text Block]	'
	ASC Update No. 2014-10
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2014-10, Development Stage Entities (Topic 915): Elimination of Certain Financial Reporting Requirements, Including an Amendment to Variable Interest Entities Guidance in Topic 810, Consolidation. The amendments remove the definition of a development stage entity from the Master Glossary of the Accounting Standards Codification, thereby removing the financial reporting distinction between development stage entities and other reporting entities. The amendments also eliminate an exception provided to development stage entities in Topic 810, Consolidation, for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity on the basis of the amount of investment equity that is at risk. The elimination of the exception may change the consolidation analysis, consolidation decision, and disclosure requirements for a reporting entity that has an interest in an entity in the development stage. We are required to apply Update No. 2014-10 for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. The adoption of Update No. 2014-10 is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
ASC Update No. 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures [Policy Text Block]	'
	ASC Update No. 2014-11
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. Update No. 2014-11 changes the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and repurchase financings and expands disclosure requirements. The amendments (1) require entities to account for repurchase-to-maturity transactions as secured borrowings, (2) eliminate accounting guidance on linked repurchase financing transactions, and (3) expand disclosure requirements related to certain transfers of financial assets that are accounted for as sales and certain transfers accounted for as secured borrowings. Update No. 2014-11 also clarifies that repurchase and securities lending transactions that do not meet all of the criteria in ASC 860-10-40-5 should be accounted for as secured borrowings. We are required to apply the accounting changes and disclosure for certain transactions accounted for as a sale for periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and early application is not permitted. The disclosure for transactions accounted for as secured borrowings is required for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and for interim periods within those years. The disclosures are not required to be presented for comparative periods before the effective date. The adoption of Update No. 2014-11 is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
ASC Update No 2014-13, Consolidation (Topic 810) [Policy Text Block]	'
	ASC Update No. 2014-13
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2014-13, Consolidation (Topic 810): Measuring the Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities of a Consolidated Collateralized Financing Entity. The fair value of the financial assets of a collateralized financing entity, as determined under GAAP, may differ from the fair value of its financial liabilities even when the financial liabilities have recourse only to the financial assets. Update 2014-13 provides an alternative to Topic 820 for measuring the financial assets and the financial liabilities of a consolidated collateralized financing entity to eliminate that difference. When the measurement alternative is not elected for a consolidated collateralized financing entity within the scope of this Update, the amendments clarify that (1) the fair value of the financial assets and the fair value of the financial liabilities of the consolidated collateralized financing entity should be measured using the requirements of Topic 820 and (2) any differences in the fair value of the financial assets and the fair value of the financial liabilities of that consolidated collateralized financing entity should be reflected in earnings and attributed to the reporting entity in the consolidated statement of income (loss). The amendments to Update 2014-13 are effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual period. The adoption of Update No. 2014-12 is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
ASC Update No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern [Policy Text Block]	'
	ASC Update No. 2014-15
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern: Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40). Update 2014-15 requires management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern every reporting period, and provide certain disclosures if management has substantial doubt about the entities ability to operate as a going concern, or an express statement if not, by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. Update 2014-15 is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. The adoption of Update No. 2014-15 is not expected to have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.
Subsequent Events, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Subsequent Events
	We evaluate events occurring after the date of our most recent accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets for potential recognition or disclosure in our financial statements. We did not identify any material subsequent events requiring adjustment to our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements (recognized subsequent events) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014. Those items requiring disclosure (unrecognized subsequent events) in the financial statements have been disclosed accordingly. Refer to Note J - Commitments and Contingencies for more information.
ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures	'
	We determine the fair value of our derivative instruments using the framework prescribed by ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820), by considering the estimated amount we would receive or pay to transfer these instruments at the reporting date and by taking into account current interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, the creditworthiness of the counterparty for assets, and our creditworthiness for liabilities. In certain instances, we may utilize financial models to measure fair value. Generally, we use inputs that include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; other observable inputs for the asset or liability; and inputs derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data by correlation or other means.
ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging	'
	We recognize all derivative financial instruments in our consolidated financial statements at fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). In accordance with Topic 815, for those derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, the hedging instrument must be designated, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge, or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, further, on the type of hedging relationship. Our derivative instruments do not subject our earnings or cash flows to material risk, as gains and losses on these derivatives generally offset losses and gains on the item being hedged. We do not enter into derivative transactions for speculative purposes and we do not have any non-derivative instruments that are designated as hedging instruments pursuant to Topic 815.
ASC Topic 712, Compensation - Non-retirement Postemployment Benefits and ASC Topic 420, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations	'
	Termination benefits represent amounts incurred pursuant to our on-going benefit arrangements and amounts for “one-time” involuntary termination benefits, and have been recorded in accordance with ASC Topic 712, Compensation – Non-retirement Postemployment Benefits and ASC Topic 420, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations (Topic 420). We expect to record additional termination benefits related to our restructuring initiatives in 2014 when we identify with more specificity the job classifications, functions and locations of the remaining head count to be eliminated. Other restructuring costs, which represent primarily consulting fees, are being recorded as incurred in accordance with Topic 420. Accelerated depreciation is being recorded over the adjusted remaining useful life of the related assets, and production line transfer costs are being recorded as incurred.
Legal Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	We record losses for claims in excess of the limits of purchased insurance in earnings at the time and to the extent they are probable and estimable. In accordance with ASC Topic 450, Contingencies, we accrue anticipated costs of settlement, damages, losses for general product liability claims and, under certain conditions, costs of defense, based on historical experience or to the extent specific losses are probable and estimable. Otherwise, we expense these costs as incurred. If the estimate of a probable loss is a range and no amount within the range is more likely, we accrue the minimum amount of the range.

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combination, Components of Purchase Price [Table Text Block]	'
	The components of the aggregate preliminary purchase price for the acquisition consummated in 2014 are as follows (in millions):
	Cash, net of cash acquired	$	479
	Fair value of prior interests	31
		$	510
Business Combination, Purchase Price Allocation Schedule [Table Text Block]	'
	The following summarizes the aggregate preliminary purchase price allocation for the 2014 acquisition as of September 30, 2014:
	Goodwill	$	210
	Amortizable intangible assets	263
	Inventory	23
	Property, Plant and Equipment	17
	Prepaid Transaction Service Agreement	5
	Other net assets	(1		)
	Deferred income taxes	(7		)
		$	510
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination [Table Text Block]	'
	We allocated a portion of the preliminary purchase price to specific intangible asset categories as follows:
		Amount				Weighted	Range of Risk-
		Assigned				Average	Adjusted Discount
		(in millions)				Amortization	Rates used in
						Period	Purchase Price
						(in years)	Allocation
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Technology-related	$	233			14-Oct	14 - 18 %
	Customer Relationships	29				10	18%
	Other intangible assets	1				2	14%
		$	263
Rollforward of Fair Value of Contingent Consideration [Table Text Block]	'
	Changes in the fair value of our contingent consideration liability were as follows (in millions):
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	(501	)
	Amounts recorded related to new acquisitions	(3		)
	Other amounts recorded related to prior acquisitions	4
	Net fair value adjustments	122
	Payments made	15
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	(363	)
Description of unobservable inputs used in Level 3 fair value measurements [Table Text Block]	'
	The recurring Level 3 fair value measurements of our contingent consideration liability include the following significant unobservable inputs:
	Contingent Consideration Liability	Fair Value as of September 30, 2014	Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range
	R&D, Regulatory and Commercialization-based Milestones	$62 million	Probability Weighted Discounted Cash Flow	Discount Rate	0.9%-1.4%
				Probability of Payment	60% - 95%
				Projected Year of Payment	2014 - 2015
	Revenue-based Payments	$48 million	Discounted Cash Flow	Discount Rate	11.5% - 15%
				Probability of Payment	0% - 100%
				Projected Year of Payment	2014 - 2018
		$253 million	Monte Carlo	Revenue Volatility	11% - 13%
				Risk Free Rate	LIBOR Term Structure
				Projected Year of Payment	2014-2018
	The nonrecurring Level 3 fair value measurements of our intangible asset impairment analysis included the following significant unobservable inputs:
	Intangible Asset	Valuation Date	Fair Value	Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Rate
	In-Process R&D	30-Sep-14	$16 million	Income Approach - Excess Earnings Method	Discount Rate	16.5 - 20%
	In-Process R&D	30-Jun-14	$83 million	Income Approach - Excess Earnings Method	Discount Rate	16.5 - 20%
	Core Technology	30-Jun-14	$8 million	Income Approach - Excess Earnings Method	Discount Rate	15%
	In-Process R&D	31-Mar-14	$6 million	Income Approach - Excess Earnings Method	Discount Rate	20%
	Core Technology	31-Mar-14	$64 million	Income Approach - Excess Earnings Method	Discount Rate	15%
	In-Process R&D	30-Jun-13	$178 million	Income Approach - Excess Earnings Method	Discount Rate	16.50%

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Note D - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'
Goodwill	'
	The gross carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets and the related accumulated amortization for intangible assets subject to amortization and accumulated write-offs of goodwill as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows:
			As of
			September 30, 2014								December 31, 2013
			Gross Carrying				Accumulated				Gross Carrying				Accumulated
							Amortization/								Amortization/
	(in millions)		Amount				Write-offs				Amount				Write-offs
	Amortizable intangible assets
	Technology-related		$	8,407			$	(3,607	)		$	8,272			$	(3,342	)
	Patents		518				(337		)		513				(326		)
	Other intangible assets		874				(519		)		845				(479		)
			$	9,799			$	(4,463	)		$	9,630			$	(4,147	)
	Unamortizable intangible assets
	Goodwill		$	15,801			$	(9,900	)		$	15,593			$	(9,900	)
	Technology-related		197				—				197				—
			$	15,998			$	(9,900	)		$	15,790			$	(9,900	)
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	'
	The following is a rollforward of accumulated goodwill write-offs by global reportable segment:
	(in millions)	Cardiovascular				Rhythm Management				MedSurg				Total
	Accumulated write-offs as of December 31, 2013	$	(1,479	)		$	(6,960	)		$	(1,461	)		$	(9,900	)
	Goodwill written off	—				—				—				—
	Accumulated write-offs as of September 30, 2014	$	(1,479	)		$	(6,960	)		$	(1,461	)		$	(9,900	)
	The following represents our goodwill balance by global reportable segment:
	(in millions)		Cardiovascular				Rhythm Management				MedSurg				Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2013		$	3,252			$	294			$	2,147			$	5,693
	Purchase price adjustments		(1		)		(3		)		(1		)		(5		)
	Goodwill acquired		169				—				44				213
	Goodwill written off		—				—				—				—
	Other changes in carrying amount*		7				—				(7		)		—
	Balance as of September 30, 2014		$	3,427			$	291			$	2,183			$	5,901
Description of unobservable inputs used in Level 3 fair value measurements [Table Text Block]	'
	The recurring Level 3 fair value measurements of our contingent consideration liability include the following significant unobservable inputs:
	Contingent Consideration Liability	Fair Value as of September 30, 2014	Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range
	R&D, Regulatory and Commercialization-based Milestones	$62 million	Probability Weighted Discounted Cash Flow	Discount Rate	0.9%-1.4%
				Probability of Payment	60% - 95%
				Projected Year of Payment	2014 - 2015
	Revenue-based Payments	$48 million	Discounted Cash Flow	Discount Rate	11.5% - 15%
				Probability of Payment	0% - 100%
				Projected Year of Payment	2014 - 2018
		$253 million	Monte Carlo	Revenue Volatility	11% - 13%
				Risk Free Rate	LIBOR Term Structure
				Projected Year of Payment	2014-2018
	The nonrecurring Level 3 fair value measurements of our intangible asset impairment analysis included the following significant unobservable inputs:
	Intangible Asset	Valuation Date	Fair Value	Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Rate
	In-Process R&D	30-Sep-14	$16 million	Income Approach - Excess Earnings Method	Discount Rate	16.5 - 20%
	In-Process R&D	30-Jun-14	$83 million	Income Approach - Excess Earnings Method	Discount Rate	16.5 - 20%
	Core Technology	30-Jun-14	$8 million	Income Approach - Excess Earnings Method	Discount Rate	15%
	In-Process R&D	31-Mar-14	$6 million	Income Approach - Excess Earnings Method	Discount Rate	20%
	Core Technology	31-Mar-14	$64 million	Income Approach - Excess Earnings Method	Discount Rate	15%
	In-Process R&D	30-Jun-13	$178 million	Income Approach - Excess Earnings Method	Discount Rate	16.50%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Gains (losses) recognized in earnings for derivatives designed as hedging instruments	'
	The following presents the effect of our derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges under Topic 815 on our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations during the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 and 2013 (in millions):
		Amount of Pre-tax				Amount of Pre-tax Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Earnings				Location in Statement of
		Gain (Loss)				(Effective Portion)				Operations
		Recognized in OCI
		(Effective Portion)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Currency hedge contracts	$	156			$	25			Cost of products sold
		$	156			$	25
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Currency hedge contracts	$	(45	)		$	15			Cost of products sold
		$	(45	)		$	15
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Currency hedge contracts	$	115			$	68			Cost of products sold
		$	115			$	68
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Currency hedge contracts	$	144			$	15			Cost of products sold
		$	144			$	15
Gains (losses) recognized in earnings for derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	'
	The amount of gain (loss) recognized in earnings related to the ineffective portion of hedging relationships was de minimis for all periods presented.
Net foreign currency gain (loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	Net gains and losses on currency hedge contracts not designated as hedging instruments were offset by net losses and gains from foreign currency transaction exposures, as shown in the following table:
	in millions		Location in Statement of Operations		Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
					September 30,							September 30,
					2014				2013			2014			2013
	Gain (loss) on currency hedge contracts		Other, net		$	40			$	12		$	20		$	66
	Gain (loss) on foreign currency transaction exposures		Other, net		(45		)		(15		)	(31		)	(72		)
	Net foreign currency gain (loss)		Other, net		$	(5	)		$	(3	)	$	(11	)	$	(6	)
Classification of derivative assets and liabilities within level 2	'
	The following are the balances of our derivative assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
			As of
			September 30,				December 31,
	(in millions)	Location in Balance Sheet (1)	2014				2013
	Derivative Assets:
	Designated Hedging Instruments
	Currency hedge contracts	Prepaid and other current assets	$	143			$	117
	Currency hedge contracts	Other long-term assets	112				120
	Interest rate contracts	Prepaid and other current assets	7				1
	Interest rate contracts	Other long-term assets	10				—
			272				238
	Non-Designated Hedging Instruments
	Currency hedge contracts	Prepaid and other current assets	70				27
	Total Derivative Assets		$	342			$	265
	Derivative Liabilities:
	Designated Hedging Instruments
	Currency hedge contracts	Other current liabilities	$	2			$	13
	Currency hedge contracts	Other long-term liabilities	2				19
	Interest rate contracts	Other long-term liabilities	—				8
			4				40
	Non-Designated Hedging Instruments
	Currency hedge contracts	Other current liabilities	29				23
	Total Derivative Liabilities		$	33			$	63
	-1	We classify derivative assets and liabilities as current when the remaining term of the derivative contract is one year or less.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis consist of the following as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		As of September 30, 2014														As of December 31, 2013
	(in millions)	Level 1				Level 2				Level 3			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets
	Money market and government funds	$	29			$	—			$	—		$	29		$	38	$	—	$	—	$	38
	Currency hedge contracts	—				325				—			325			—		264		—		264
	Interest rate contracts	—				17				—			17			—		1		—		1
		$	29			$	342			$	—		$	371		$	38	$	265	$	—	$	303
	Liabilities
	Currency hedge contracts	$	—			$	33			$	—		$	33		$	—	$	55	$	—	$	55
	Accrued contingent consideration	—				—				363			363			—		—		501		501
	Interest rate contracts	—				—				—			—			—		8		—		8
		$	—			$	33			$	363		$	396		$	—	$	63	$	501	$	564

Borrowings_and_Credit_Arrangem1

Borrowings and Credit Arrangements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of debt maturities	'
	The debt maturity schedule for the significant components of our debt obligations as of September 30, 2014 is as follows:
	(in millions)	2014			2015		2016		2017		2018		Thereafter		Total
	Senior notes	$	—		$	400	$	600	$	250	$	600	$	1,950	$	3,800
	Term loan	—			—		80		80		240		—		400
		$	—		$	400	$	680	$	330	$	840	$	1,950	$	4,200
		Note:	The table above does not include unamortized discounts associated with our senior notes, or amounts related to interest rate contracts used to hedge the fair value of certain of our senior notes.
Summary of revolving credit facility agreement compliance with debt covenants	'
	Our revolving credit facility agreement requires that we maintain certain financial covenants, as follows:
		Covenant		Actual as of
		Requirement		30-Sep-14
	Maximum leverage ratio (1)	3.5 times		2.5 times
	Minimum interest coverage ratio (2)	3.0 times		7.9 times
	-1	Ratio of total debt to consolidated EBITDA, as defined by the credit agreement, for the preceding four consecutive fiscal quarters.
	-2	Ratio of consolidated EBITDA, as defined by the credit agreement, to interest expense for the preceding four consecutive fiscal quarters.

Restructuring_Related_Activiti1

Restructuring Related Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]	'
Restructuring and related costs	'
	The following presents these costs (credits) by major type and line item within our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations, as well as by program:
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	(in millions)	Termination				Accelerated				Transfer				Fixed Asset			Other		Total
		Benefits				Depreciation				Costs				Write-offs
	Restructuring charges	$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—		$	2	$	2
	Restructuring-related expenses:
	Cost of products sold	—				—				9				—			—		9
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	—				1				—				—			5		6
		—				1				9				—			5		15
		$	—			$	1			$	9			$	—		$	7	$	17
	(in millions)	Termination				Accelerated				Transfer				Fixed Asset			Other		Total
		Benefits				Depreciation				Costs				Write-offs
	2014 Restructuring plan	$	(1	)		$	1			$	9			$	—		$	7	$	16
	2011 Restructuring plan (including the Expansion)	1				—				—				—			—		1
		$	—			$	1			$	9			$	—		$	7	$	17
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(in millions)	Termination				Accelerated				Transfer				Net Gain on Fixed Asset Disposals			Other		Total
		Benefits				Depreciation				Costs
	Restructuring charges	$	5			$	—			$	—			$	—		$	14	$	19
	Restructuring-related expenses:
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	—				1				—				—			6		7
		—				1				—				—			6		7
		$	5			$	1			$	—			$	—		$	20	$	26
	(in millions)	Termination				Accelerated				Transfer				Net Gain on Fixed Asset Disposals			Other		Total
		Benefits				Depreciation				Costs
	2011 Restructuring plan (including the Expansion)	$	5			$	1			$	—			$	—		$	20	$	26
		$	5			$	1			$	—			$	—		$	20	$	26
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	(in millions)	Termination				Accelerated				Transfer				Fixed Asset			Other		Total
		Benefits				Depreciation				Costs				Write-offs
	Restructuring charges	$	19			$	—			$	—			$	—		$	18	$	37
	Restructuring-related expenses:
	Cost of products sold	—				—				15				—			—		15
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	—				3				—				—			15		18
		—				3				15				—			15		33
		$	19			$	3			$	15			$	—		$	33	$	70
	(in millions)	Termination				Accelerated				Transfer				Fixed Asset			Other		Total
		Benefits				Depreciation				Costs				Write-offs
	2014 Restructuring plan	$	18			$	3			$	15			$	—		$	30	$	66
	2011 Restructuring plan (including the Expansion)	1				—				—				—			3		4
		$	19			$	3			$	15			$	—		$	33	$	70
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(in millions)	Termination				Accelerated				Transfer				Net Gain on Fixed Asset Disposals			Other		Total
		Benefits				Depreciation				Costs
	Restructuring charges	$	26			$	—			$	—			$	(16	)	$	45	$	55
	Restructuring-related expenses:
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	—				2				—				—			14		16
		—				2				—				—			14		16
		$	26			$	2			$	—			$	(16	)	$	59	$	71
	(in millions)	Termination				Accelerated				Transfer				Net Gain on Fixed Asset Disposals			Other		Total
		Benefits				Depreciation				Costs
	2011 Restructuring plan (including the Expansion)	$	30			$	2			$	—			$	(16	)	$	59	$	75
	Plant Network Optimization program	(4		)		—				—				—			—		(4		)
		$	26			$	2			$	—			$	(16	)	$	59	$	71
Cumulative restructuring charges	'
	(in millions)	2014				2011				Plant				Total
		Restructuring				Restructuring				Network
		plan				plan (including the Expansion)				Optimization program
	Termination benefits	$	47			$	137			$	30			$	214
	Fixed asset write-offs	—				(1		)		—				(1		)
	Other	15				113				—				128
	Total restructuring charges	62				249				30				341
	Accelerated depreciation	3				5				22				30
	Transfer costs	15				—				74				89
	Other	15				34				—				49
	Restructuring-related expenses	33				39				96				168
		$	95			$	288			$	126			$	509
Cash payments associated with restructuring initiatives	'
	We made cash payments of $27 million in the third quarter of 2014 and $80 million in the first nine months of 2014 associated with restructuring initiatives pursuant to these plans, and as of September 30, 2014, we had made total cash payments of $451 million related to our 2014 Restructuring plan, 2011 Restructuring plan (including the Expansion), and PNO program since committing to each plan. These payments were made using cash generated from operations, and are comprised of the following:
	(in millions)	2014				2011				Plant				Total
		Restructuring				Restructuring				Network
		plan				plan (including the Expansion)				Optimization program
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Termination benefits	$	7			$	2			$	—			$	9
	Transfer costs	9				—				—				9
	Other	7				2				—				9
		$	23			$	4			$	—			$	27
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Termination benefits	$	19			$	9			$	—			$	28
	Transfer costs	15				—				—				15
	Other	27				10				—				37
		$	61			$	19			$	—			$	80
	Program to Date
	Termination benefits	$	19			$	133			$	30			$	182
	Transfer costs	15				—				73				88
	Other	27				154				—				181
		$	61			$	287			$	103			$	451
Summary of accrued expenses within accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets	'
	The following is a rollforward of the termination benefit liability associated with our 2014 Restructuring plan and 2011 Restructuring plan (including the Expansion), which is reported as a component of accrued expenses included in our accompanying unaudited condensed balance sheets:
	(in millions)		2014				2011				Total
			Restructuring				Restructuring
			plan				plan (including the Expansion)
	Accrued as of December 31, 2013		$	29			$	12			$	41
	Charges (credits)		18				1				19
	Cash payments		(19		)		(9		)		(28		)
	Accrued as of September 30, 2014		$	28			$	4			$	32
2014 Restructuring plan [Member]	'
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]	'
Restructuring and related costs	'
	The following table provides a summary of our estimates of costs associated with the 2014 Restructuring plan by major type of cost:
	Type of cost	Total estimated amount expected to
		be incurred
	Restructuring charges:
	Termination benefits	$100 million to $120 million
	Other (1)	$10 million to $20 million
	Restructuring-related expenses:
	Other (2)	$65 million to $85 million
		$175 million to $225 million
	(1) Consists primarily of consultant fees and costs associated with contractual cancellations.
	(2) Comprised of other costs directly related to the 2014 Restructuring plan, including program management, accelerated depreciation, and costs to transfer product lines among facilities.
2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]	'
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]	'
Restructuring and related costs	'
	The following provides a summary of our expected total costs associated with the 2011 Restructuring plan, including the Expansion, by major type of cost:
	Type of cost	Total estimated amount expected to
		be incurred
	Restructuring charges:
	Termination benefits	$138 million to $141 million
	Other (1)	$112 million
	Restructuring-related expenses:
	Other (2)	$39 million
		$289 million to $292 million
	-1	Includes primarily consulting fees, gains and losses on disposals of fixed assets and costs associated with contractual cancellations.
	-2	Comprised of other costs directly related to the 2011 Restructuring plan, including the Expansion, such as program management, accelerated depreciation, retention and infrastructure-related costs.
Plant Network Optimization [Member]	'
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]	'
Restructuring and related costs	'
	The following provides a summary of our costs associated with the PNO program by major type of cost:
	Type of cost	Total amount incurred
	Restructuring charges:
	Termination benefits	$30 million
	Restructuring-related expenses:
	Accelerated depreciation	$22 million
	Transfer costs (1)	$74 million
		$126 million
	-1	Consists primarily of costs to transfer product lines among facilities, including costs of transfer teams, freight, idle facility and product line validations.

Supplemental_Balance_Sheet_Inf1

Supplemental Balance Sheet Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Supplemental Balance Sheet Information [Abstract]	'
Trade accounts receivable, net	'
		As of
	(in millions)	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Accounts receivable	$	1,346		$	1,419
	Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	(75		)	(81		)
	Less: allowance for sales returns	(38		)	(31		)
		$	1,233		$	1,307
Rollforward of allowances for doubtful accounts	'
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(in millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	80		$	84		$	81		$	88
	Charges to expenses	—			2			4			7
	Utilization of allowances	(5		)	(1		)	(10		)	(10		)
	Ending balance	$	75		$	85		$	75		$	85
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]	'
		As of
	(in millions)	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Finished goods	$	666		$	598
	Work-in-process	118			90
	Raw materials	205			209
		$	989		$	897
Property, plant and equipment, net	'
		As of
	(in millions)	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Land	$	80		$	81
	Buildings and improvements	942			917
	Equipment, furniture and fixtures	2,580			2,461
	Capital in progress	186			211
		3,788			3,670
	Less: accumulated depreciation	2,266			2,124
		$	1,522		$	1,546
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities	'
		As of
	(in millions)	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Payroll and related liabilities	$	449		$	488
	Accrued contingent consideration	178			148
	Legal reserves	75			84
	Other	586			628
		$	1,288		$	1,348
Other long-term liabilities	'
		As of
	(in millions)	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Accrued income taxes	$	1,260		$	1,283
	Legal reserves	870			523
	Accrued contingent consideration	185			353
	Other long-term liabilities	409			410
		$	2,724		$	2,569
Accrued warranties	'
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2014			2013
	Beginning Balance	$	28		$	26
	Provision	6			11
	Settlements/reversals	(9		)	(9		)
	Ending Balance	$	25		$	28

Weighted_Average_Shares_Outsta1

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,
	(in millions)	2014	2013		2014	2013
	Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	1,325.50	1,340.30		1,323.50	1,345.20
	Net effect of common stock equivalents	22.1	—	*	23.8	—	*
	Weighted average shares outstanding - assuming dilution	1,347.60	1,340.30		1,347.30	1,345.20
	* We generated net losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013. Our weighted-average shares outstanding for earnings per share calculations exclude common stock equivalents of 23.6 million for the third quarter of 2013 and 17.2 million for the first nine months of 2013 due to our net loss position in these periods.

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Information By Segment	'
	A reconciliation of the totals reported for the reportable segments to the applicable line items in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations is as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(in millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
					(restated)						(restated)
	Net sales
	Interventional Cardiology	$	514		$	474		$	1,543		$	1,493
	Peripheral Interventions	217			200			631			597
	Cardiovascular	731			674			2,174			2,090
	Cardiac Rhythm Management	482			465			1,441			1,416
	Electrophysiology	54			35			167			105
	Rhythm Management	536			500			1,608			1,521
	Endoscopy	340			319			990			939
	Urology and Women's Health	138			131			397			372
	Neuromodulation	115			116			338			316
	MedSurg	593			566			1,725			1,627
	Net sales allocated to reportable segments	1,860			1,740			5,507			5,238
	Sales generated from divested businesses	1			2			4			57
	Impact of foreign currency fluctuations	(15		)	(7		)	(18		)	10
		$	1,846		$	1,735		$	5,493		$	5,305
	Income (loss) before income taxes
	Cardiovascular	$	201		$	175		$	565		$	515
	Rhythm Management	76			63			209			176
	MedSurg	192			176			535			487
	Operating income allocated to reportable segments	469			414			1,309			1,178
	Corporate expenses and currency exchange	(90		)	(78		)	(205		)	(168		)
	Goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges; and acquisition-, divestiture-, restructuring-, and litigation related charges or credits	(206		)	(132		)	(586		)	(711		)
	Amortization expense	(109		)	(101		)	(327		)	(305		)
	Operating income (loss)	64			103			191			(6		)
	Other expense, net	(61		)	(143		)	(146		)	(276		)
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	3		$	(40	)	$	45		$	(282	)

Changes_in_Other_Comprehensive1

Changes in Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Changes in Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Changes in Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table provides the reclassifications out of other comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013. Amounts in the chart below are presented net of tax.
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	(in millions)	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Unrealized gains/losses on derivative financial instruments			Defined benefit pension items / Other			Total
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	(24	)	$	86		$	(20	)	$	42
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(15		)	99			—			84
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			(16		)	—			(16		)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income	(15		)	83			—			68
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	(39	)	$	169		$	(20	)	$	110
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(in millions)	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Unrealized gains/losses on derivative financial instruments			Defined benefit pension items / Other			Total
	Balance as of June 30, 2013	$	(28	)	$	153		$	(41	)	$	84
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	10			(29		)	—			(19		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			(9		)	—			(9		)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income	10			(38		)	—			(28		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	(18	)	$	115		$	(41	)	$	56
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	(in millions)	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Unrealized gains/losses on derivative financial instruments			Defined benefit pension items / Other			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	(16	)	$	141		$	(19	)	$	106
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(23		)	72			(1		)	48
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			(44		)	—			(44		)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income	(23		)	28			(1		)	4
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	(39	)	$	169		$	(20	)	$	110
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(in millions)	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Unrealized gains/losses on derivative financial instruments			Defined benefit pension items / Other			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	(26	)	$	34		$	(41	)	$	(33	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	8			91			—			99
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			(10		)	—			(10		)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income	8			81			—			89
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	(18	)	$	115		$	(41	)	$	56

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 02, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

7-May-14

Sep. 30, 2014

7-May-14

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

R&D- and commercialization-based milestones [Member]

R&D- and commercialization-based milestones [Member]

R&D- and commercialization-based milestones [Member]

revenue-based payments [Member]

revenue-based payments [Member]

revenue-based payments [Member]

revenue-based payments [Member]

revenue-based payments [Member]

revenue-based payments [Member]

Bayer [Member]

Bayer and IoGyn [Member]

IoGyn [Member]

IoGyn [Member]

IoGyn [Member]

IoGyn [Member]

Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]

Customer Relationships [Member]

Customer Relationships [Member]

Customer Relationships [Member]

Other Intangible Assets [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Discounted cash flow [Member]

Discounted cash flow [Member]

Discounted cash flow [Member]

Monte Carlo [Member]

Monte Carlo [Member]

Monte Carlo [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$23,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

233,000,000

29,000,000

'

'

1,000,000

Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'10 years

'14 years

'2 years

Range of Risk Adjusted Discount Rates used in Purchase Price Allocation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18.00%

14.00%

18.00%

14.00%

Goodwill

'

5,901,000,000

'

5,693,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

210,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued Contingent Consideration

'

363,000,000

'

-501,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Liabilities Arising from Contingencies, Amount Recognized

'

-3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Adjustments to accrued contingent consideration

'

-4,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contingent consideration expense (benefit)

'

122,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contingent payment related to business combination

'

15,000,000

-115,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum future contingent consideration for acquisitions

'

2,100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability

'

'

'

'

-62,000,000

'

'

-48,000,000

'

'

-253,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue Volatility - Contingent Consideration

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11.00%

13.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

contingent consideration liability, projected year of payment

'

'

'

'

'

'2014

'2015

'

'2014

'2018

'

'2014

'2018

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

contingent consideration liability, probability of payment

'

'

'

'

'

60.00%

95.00%

'

0.00%

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Risk-adjusted discount rate for contingent consideration

'

'

'

'

'

0.90%

1.40%

'

11.50%

15.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minority interest owned of IoGyn

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

28.00%

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired

'

487,000,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

414,000,000

479,000,000

'

65,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable

'

31,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Remaining equity of IoGyn purchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

72.00%

'

72.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Including Equity Interest in Acquiree Held Prior to Combination

'

510,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

510,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles

'

263,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

263,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Other

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Assets, Current

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-7,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payment of contingent consideration

($100,000,000)

$15,000,000

$107,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Divestitures_Details

Divestitures (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Divestitures and Assets Held for Sale [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase price for divestiture of business/controlling interest	'	$1,500	'	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from business divestitures, net of costs	12	'	'	28	12	30	10	1,450
Segment Reporting, Sales from Divested Businesses	'	'	1	2	4	57	'	'
Proceeds from divestiture of business, excluding amounts placed in escrow	'	1,426	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amount Placed In Escrow Included In Proceeds From Divestiture Of Business	'	24	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues generated by the Neurovascular business	'	'	'	'	'	$56	'	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

reportablesegments

Electrophysiology [Member]

Neuromodulation [Member]

Global CRM Reporting Unit [Member]

Cardiovascular [Member]

Cardiovascular [Member]

Global Neuromodulation Reporting Unit [Member]

Rhythm Management [Member]

Rhythm Management [Member]

MedSurg [Member]

MedSurg [Member]

Global Electrophysiology (EP) Reporting Unit [Member]

Unclassified Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Member]

Unclassified Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Member]

Technology-related [Member]

Technology-related [Member]

In-process research and development [Member]

In-process research and development [Member]

Technology-related [Member]

Technology-related [Member]

Patents [Member]

Patents [Member]

Other Intangible Assets [Member]

Other Intangible Assets [Member]

Pre-tax Impairment Charges [Domain]

In Process Research and Development [Member]

In Process Research and Development [Member]

In Process Research and Development [Member]

In Process Research and Development 2 [Member]

Core technology [Member]

Core technology [Member]

Core technology [Member]

Impairment Charges from change in expected cash flows [Domain]

Vessix Charges [Member]

Atritech Charges [Member]

Other In-process Research and Development Project Charges [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

In Process Research and Development [Member]

In Process Research and Development [Member]

In Process Research and Development [Member]

In Process Research and Development [Member]

Goodwill [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Hypothetical change in WACC

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Hypothetical change in revenue growth rates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.50%

1.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$4,167,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)

12,000,000

'

'

0

'

'

177,000,000

53,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,000,000

'

'

'

8,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Research and Development in Process

16,000,000

'

6,000,000

'

178,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

83,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset Impairment Charges

2,000,000

110,000,000

55,000,000

4,000,000

'

'

177,000,000

476,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

51,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

67,000,000

35,000,000

8,000,000

'

'

'

'

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross

9,799,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

9,799,000,000

'

9,630,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,407,000,000

8,272,000,000

518,000,000

513,000,000

874,000,000

845,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization

-4,463,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

-4,463,000,000

'

-4,147,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-3,607,000,000

-3,342,000,000

-337,000,000

-326,000,000

-519,000,000

-479,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill, Gross

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,801,000,000

15,593,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

197,000,000

197,000,000

199,000,000

270,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill

15,998,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

15,998,000,000

'

15,790,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Indefinite-lived intangible assets, accumulated write-offs

-9,900,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

-9,900,000,000

'

-9,900,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill

5,901,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

5,901,000,000

'

5,693,000,000

'

'

'

3,427,000,000

3,252,000,000

'

291,000,000

294,000,000

2,183,000,000

2,147,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments

'

'

'

'

'

'

-5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

-1,000,000

'

'

-3,000,000

'

-1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill, Acquired During Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

213,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

169,000,000

'

'

0

'

44,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss

9,900,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

9,900,000,000

'

-9,900,000,000

'

'

'

1,479,000,000

-1,479,000,000

'

6,960,000,000

-6,960,000,000

1,461,000,000

-1,461,000,000

'

-9,900,000,000

-9,900,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill (Textuals) [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Reportable Segments

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill impairment charge

0

'

'

0

'

-423,000,000

0

-423,000,000

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill, Impairment Loss, Net of Tax

'

'

'

'

'

-421,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill, Other Changes

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

7,000,000

'

'

0

'

-7,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reporting Unit, Percentage of Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

55.00%

'

'

'

'

38.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Allocated Goodwill

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,356,000,000

'

'

'

'

292,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Core technology

'

$8,000,000

$64,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20.00%

16.50%

'

'

15.00%

15.00%

'

'

'

'

17.00%

17.00%

20.00%

20.00%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	$2,442	'	'	'	$2,442	'	$2,564
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, Net	25	'	'	15	68	15	'
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months	99	'	'	'	99	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax, Ending Balance	169	'	'	'	169	'	139
Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments at Fair Value, Net	2,479	'	'	'	2,479	'	1,952
Interest Rate Derivatives, at Fair Value, Net	450	'	'	'	450	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness	-1	'	'	'	17	'	'
Unamortized gains on senior notes	47	'	'	'	47	'	54
Unamortized losses on senior notes	2	'	'	'	2	'	2
Unrealized gain on interest rate cash flow hedges, pretax, AOCI	2	'	'	'	2	'	3
reduction of interest expense, related to amortization of previously terminated interest rate contracts	2	'	'	'	7	'	'
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months, Net	9	'	'	'	9	'	'
Derivative Assets	342	'	'	'	342	'	265
Derivative Liabilities	33	'	'	'	33	'	63
Accrued Contingent Consideration	-363	'	'	'	-363	'	501
Time Deposits, at Carrying Value	48	'	'	'	48	'	31
Cash	169	'	'	'	169	'	148
Cost-method Investments, Aggregate Carrying Amount	25	'	'	'	25	'	20
Asset Impairment Charges	2	110	55	4	177	476	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	4,657	'	'	'	4,657	'	4,602
Loss on hedged debt obligation [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest Expense, Other	1	'	'	'	-17	'	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	0	'	'	'	0	'	0
Interest Rate Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value	0	'	'	'	0	'	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Money Market Funds, at Carrying Value	0	'	'	'	0	'	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	0	'	'	'	0	'	0
Interest Rate Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value	0	'	'	'	0	'	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Money Market Funds, at Carrying Value	29	'	'	'	29	'	38
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	325	'	'	'	325	'	264
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	17	'	'	'	17	'	1
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	371	'	'	'	371	'	303
Foreign Currency Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure	33	'	'	'	33	'	55
Accrued Contingent Consideration	363	'	'	'	363	'	501
Interest Rate Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value	0	'	'	'	0	'	8
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	396	'	'	'	396	'	564
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Money Market Funds, at Carrying Value	29	'	'	'	29	'	38
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	0	'	'	'	0	'	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	29	'	'	'	29	'	38
Foreign Currency Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure	0	'	'	'	0	'	0
Accrued Contingent Consideration	0	'	'	'	0	'	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	'	'	'	0	'	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Money Market Funds, at Carrying Value	'	'	'	'	'	'	0
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	325	'	'	'	325	'	264
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	17	'	'	'	17	'	1
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	342	'	'	'	342	'	265
Foreign Currency Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure	33	'	'	'	33	'	55
Accrued Contingent Consideration	0	'	'	'	0	'	0
Interest Rate Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value	0	'	'	'	0	'	8
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	33	'	'	'	33	'	63
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Money Market Funds, at Carrying Value	0	'	'	'	0	'	0
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	0	'	'	'	0	'	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	'	'	'	0	'	0
Foreign Currency Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure	0	'	'	'	0	'	0
Accrued Contingent Consideration	363	'	'	'	363	'	501
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	363	'	'	'	363	'	501
Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	'	'	'	'	'	'	450
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, Assets, at Fair Value	272	'	'	'	272	'	238
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, Liabilities, at Fair Value	4	'	'	'	4	'	40
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Prepaid And Other Current Assets [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, Assets, at Fair Value	143	'	'	'	143	'	117
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Long Term Assets [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, Assets, at Fair Value	112	'	'	'	112	'	120
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other current liabilities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, Liabilities, at Fair Value	2	'	'	'	2	'	13
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Long Term Liabilities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, Liabilities, at Fair Value	2	'	'	'	2	'	19
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Prepaid And Other Current Assets [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Asset, at Fair Value	70	'	'	'	70	'	27
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other current liabilities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	29	'	'	'	29	'	23
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other, net [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	40	'	'	12	20	66	'
Net gain (loss) from foreign currency transaction exposures	-45	'	'	-15	-31	-72	'
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Realized	-5	'	'	-3	-11	-6	'
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net	156	'	'	-45	115	144	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	25	'	'	15	68	15	'
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Cost of products sold [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net	156	'	'	-45	115	144	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	25	'	'	15	68	15	'
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Prepaid And Other Current Assets [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, Assets, at Fair Value	7	'	'	'	7	'	1
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Long Term Assets [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, Assets, at Fair Value	10	'	'	'	10	'	0
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Long Term Liabilities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, Liabilities, at Fair Value	$0	'	'	'	$0	'	$8

Borrowings_and_Credit_Arrangem2

Borrowings and Credit Arrangements (Details)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Apr. 18, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Aug. 06, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Uncommitted Credit Facilities With A Commercial Japanese Banks [Member]

Uncommitted Credit Facilities With A Commercial Japanese Banks [Member]

Uncommitted Credit Facilities With A Commercial Japanese Banks [Member]

Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece [Member]

Covenant Requirement [Member]

Actual, Covenant [Member]

Revolving credit facility [Member]

Revolving credit facility [Member]

Unsecured Term Loan Facility [Member]

Unsecured Term Loan Facility [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Unsecured Term Loan Facility [Member]

Unsecured Term Loan Facility [Member]

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset Impairment Charges

$2

$110

$55

$4

$177

$476

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of debt maturities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Current Year

0

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two

400

'

'

'

400

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

400

0

'

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three

680

'

'

'

680

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

600

80

'

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four

330

'

'

'

330

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

250

80

'

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five

840

'

'

'

840

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

600

240

'

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal After Year Five

1,950

'

'

'

1,950

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,950

0

'

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Total Repayments of Principal

4,200

'

'

'

4,200

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,800

400

400

Summary of compliance with debt covenants

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum Leverage Ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.5

2.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum interest coverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

7.9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowings and Credit Arrangements (Textuals) [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt

4,252

'

'

'

4,252

'

4,240

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

300

'

'

'

300

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Margin above LIBOR, Minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.88%

'

1.00%

'

'

'

Interest Margin above LIBOR, Maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.48%

'

1.75%

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Current Interest Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.28%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitment fee percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.23%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exclusion from EBITDA for Restructuring Charges

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring charges remaining to be excluded from calculation of consolidated EBITDA

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

164

'

'

'

'

'

'

Litigation and Debt Exclusion from EBITDA

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,300

'

'

'

'

'

Legal payments and debt remaining to be excluded from calculation of consolidated EBITDA

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,130

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unsecured Term Loan Facility, Interest Rate During Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.50%

'

'

'

'

Quarterly term-loan principal payments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20

'

'

'

'

Senior notes

3,800

'

'

'

3,800

'

3,800

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum amount of proceeds from sale of finance receivables

285

'

'

'

285

'

'

191

21,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Average interest rate of de-recognized receivables

'

'

'

'

2.90%

'

3.30%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash receipts on long outstanding Spain receivables

'

'

'

'

80

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

De-recognized receivables

135

'

'

'

135

'

146

147

'

147

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts receivable 180 days past due

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts receivable 365 days past due

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Average discounted rates of notes receivables

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.80%

1.80%

1.80%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount

$78

'

'

'

$78

'

$78

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring_Related_Activiti2

Restructuring Related Activities (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

68 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

11 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

38 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

68 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

68 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

11 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

38 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

68 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

68 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

11 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

38 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

68 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

68 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

11 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

38 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

68 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

68 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

11 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

38 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

68 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

68 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

11 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

38 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

68 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Restructuring Plan [Member]

Restructuring Plan [Member]

Restructuring Related To Plan [Member]

Restructuring Related To Plan [Member]

Restructuring Related To Plan [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Cost of products sold [Member]

Cost of products sold [Member]

Cost of products sold [Member]

Cost of products sold [Member]

Cost of products sold [Member]

Cost of products sold [Member]

Cost of products sold [Member]

Cost of products sold [Member]

Cost of products sold [Member]

Cost of products sold [Member]

Cost of products sold [Member]

Cost of products sold [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Other [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Other [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

Restructuring Plan [Member]

Restructuring Plan [Member]

Restructuring Plan [Member]

Restructuring Related To Plan [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

Restructuring Plan [Member]

Restructuring Plan [Member]

Restructuring Plan [Member]

Restructuring Related To Plan [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Accelerated depreciation [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Transfer costs [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Impairment of an asset in value [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

Plant Network Optimization [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Termination Benefits [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

2014 Restructuring plan [Member]

Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Reserve

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$32

'

$32

'

$32

$41

$28

$28

$28

$29

$4

'

$4

'

$4

$12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3

'

$3

'

$3

$8

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Charges Incurred to Date

'

'

'

'

341

'

'

62

'

'

'

'

249

'

'

'

30

'

'

'

'

214

'

'

'

47

'

'

'

'

'

137

'

'

'

'

30

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

-1

'

0

'

'

'

'

128

'

'

'

15

'

'

'

'

113

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring-related Costs Incurred to Date

'

'

'

'

168

'

'

33

'

'

'

'

39

'

'

'

96

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

5

'

22

'

'

'

'

89

'

'

15

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

74

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

49

'

'

'

15

'

'

'

'

34

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated costs of restructuring program by major type of cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

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'

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'

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'

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'

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'

'

'

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'

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'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

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'

'

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'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected total costs associated with the plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

126

126

'

126

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30

112

22

74

39

175

289

100

138

10

65

225

292

120

141

20

85

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date

509

'

509

'

509

95

95

95

288

'

288

'

288

126

126

'

126

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring plan estimated future cash outflow

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

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'

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'

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'

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'

'

'

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'

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'

'

'

'

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'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

160

287

'

'

'

'

210

291

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments for Restructuring

-27

'

-80

'

-451

-23

-61

-61

-4

'

-19

'

-287

0

0

'

-103

-9

'

-28

'

-182

'

-7

-19

-19

'

-2

'

-9

'

-133

'

0

0

'

-30

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-9

'

-15

'

-88

-9

-15

-15

0

'

0

'

0

0

0

'

-73

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-9

'

-37

'

-181

'

-7

-27

-27

-2

'

-10

'

-154

0

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties

'

'

'

19

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

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'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Related Expenses

15

7

33

16

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

1

3

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9

0

15

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5

6

15

14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9

15

0

0

0

0

9

15

0

0

0

0

6

7

18

16

0

0

0

0

1

1

3

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5

6

15

14

Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost

17

26

70

71

'

16

66

'

1

26

4

75

'

'

'

-4

'

0

5

19

26

'

'

-1

18

'

'

1

5

1

30

'

'

'

'

-4

'

1

1

3

2

'

1

3

'

0

1

0

2

'

0

'

9

0

15

0

'

9

15

'

0

0

0

0

'

'

'

0

'

0

0

0

-16

'

0

0

'

0

0

0

-16

'

0

'

7

20

33

59

'

'

7

30

'

0

20

3

59

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Charges

$2

$19

$37

$55

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

$5

$19

$26

'

'

'

$18

'

'

'

'

$1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

$0

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

$0

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

$0

$0

($16)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2

$14

$18

$45

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Supplemental_Balance_Sheet_Inf2

Supplemental Balance Sheet Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Trade accounts receivable, net	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	$1,346	'	$1,346	'	$1,419
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	-75	'	-75	'	-81
Less: allowance for sales returns	-38	'	-38	'	-31
Trade accounts receivable, net	1,233	'	1,233	'	1,307
Allowance for doubtful accounts	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	80	84	81	88	'
Charges to expenses	0	2	4	7	'
Utilization of allowances	-5	-1	-10	-10	'
Ending balance	75	85	75	85	'
Inventories	'	'	'	'	'
Finished goods	666	'	666	'	598
Work-in-process	118	'	118	'	90
Raw materials	205	'	205	'	209
Inventories	989	'	989	'	897
Property, plant and equipment, net	'	'	'	'	'
Land	80	'	80	'	81
Buildings and improvements	942	'	942	'	917
Equipment, furniture and fixtures	2,580	'	2,580	'	2,461
Capital in progress	186	'	186	'	211
Property, plant and equipment	3,788	'	3,788	'	3,670
Less: accumulated depreciation	2,266	'	2,266	'	2,124
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,522	'	1,522	'	1,546
Accrued expenses	'	'	'	'	'
Payroll and related liabilities	449	'	449	'	488
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Current	178	'	178	'	148
Legal reserves	75	'	75	'	84
Other	586	'	586	'	628
Accrued expenses	1,288	'	1,288	'	1,348
Other long-term liabilities	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued income taxes	1,260	'	1,260	'	1,283
Legal reserves	870	'	870	'	523
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Noncurrent	185	'	185	'	353
Other Accrued Liabilities, Noncurrent	409	'	409	'	410
Other long-term liabilities	2,724	'	2,724	'	2,569
Accrued warranties	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	'	'	28	26	'
Provision	'	'	6	11	'
Settlements/ reversals	'	'	-9	-9	'
Ending Balance	25	28	25	28	'
Supplemental Balance Sheet Information (Textuals) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation expense	$71	$72	$205	$199	'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2015
						Subsequent Event [Member]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$1,043	'	$1,043	'	$1,069	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	933	'	933	'	939	'
Reported tax rate	-1343.20%	87.60%	-296.00%	18.90%	'	'
Gross interest and penalties recognized in period	'	'	43	'	'	'
Net tax expense/benefits related to interest and penalties	9	9	28	28	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued, Total	445	'	445	'	402	'
Potential Reduction In Unrecognized Tax Benefits Over Next Twelve Months As Result Of Concluding Certain Matters	'	'	'	'	'	$9

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 04, 2014
						Subsequent Event [Member]
						claims
Commitments and Contingencies (Textuals) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accrual for legal matters that are probable and estimable	$945	'	$945	'	$607	'
Litigation Settlement, Expense	139	76	399	206	'	'
Agreement in principle to settle the defibrillator class action	3	'	3	'	'	'
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product	'	'	'	'	'	24,000
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product - Canada	'	'	'	'	'	20
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product - United Kingdom	'	'	'	'	'	10
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	5,500	'	5,500	'	'	'
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value	$308	'	'	'	'	'

Weighted_Average_Shares_Outsta2

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	1,325.50	1,340.30	1,323.50	1,345.20
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment	22.1	0	23.8	0
Weighted average shares outstanding - assuming dilution	1,347.60	1,340.30	1,347.30	1,345.20
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	'	23.6	'	17.2
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	2	6	13	16
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	'	7	10	32
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	'	$75	$125	$275
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	13	18	13	18

Segment_Reporting_Details

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
			reportablesegments
Net sales	'	'	'	'
Net sales allocated to reportable segments	$1,860	$1,740	$5,507	$5,238
Segment Reporting, Sales from Divested Businesses	1	2	4	57
Impact of foreign currency fluctuations	-15	-7	-18	10
Net sales	1,846	1,735	5,493	5,305
Operating Income Allocated to Reportable Segments	469	414	1,309	1,178
Amortization expense	-109	-101	-327	-305
Operating (loss) income allocated to reportable segments	64	103	191	-6
Other expense, net	-61	-143	-146	-276
Income (loss) before income taxes	3	-40	45	-282
Segment Reporting (Textuals) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	'	'	3	'
Global Interventional Cardiology (IC) Reporting Unit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'
Net sales allocated to reportable segments	514	474	1,543	1,493
Global Peripheral Interventions (PI) Reporting Unit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'
Net sales allocated to reportable segments	217	200	631	597
Cardiovascular [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'
Net sales allocated to reportable segments	731	674	2,174	2,090
Operating Income Allocated to Reportable Segments	201	175	565	515
Global CRM Reporting Unit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'
Net sales allocated to reportable segments	482	465	1,441	1,416
Global Electrophysiology (EP) Reporting Unit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'
Net sales allocated to reportable segments	54	35	167	105
Rhythm Management [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'
Net sales allocated to reportable segments	536	500	1,608	1,521
Operating Income Allocated to Reportable Segments	76	63	209	176
Global Endoscopy (Endo) Reporting Unit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'
Net sales allocated to reportable segments	340	319	990	939
Global Urology (Uro) Reporting Unit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'
Net sales allocated to reportable segments	138	131	397	372
Global Neuromodulation (NM) Reporting Unit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'
Net sales allocated to reportable segments	115	116	338	316
MedSurg [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'
Net sales allocated to reportable segments	593	566	1,725	1,627
Operating Income Allocated to Reportable Segments	192	176	535	487
Corporate expenses and currency exchange [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'
Operating (Loss) Income Unallocated to Segment	-90	-78	-205	-168
Special Charges [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'
Operating (Loss) Income Unallocated to Segment	($206)	($132)	($586)	($711)

Changes_in_Other_Comprehensive2

Changes in Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Changes in Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	($39)	($18)	($39)	($18)	($24)	($16)	($28)	($26)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax	169	115	169	115	86	141	153	34
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax	-20	-41	-20	-41	-20	-19	-41	-41
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	110	56	110	56	42	106	84	-33
Cumulative Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Period Increase (Decrease)	-15	10	-23	8	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	99	-29	72	91	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments, Net of Tax	0	0	-1	0	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	84	-19	48	99	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Reclassified from OCI, Net of Tax	-16	-9	-44	-10	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassifications out of OCI, Net of Tax	-16	-9	-44	-10	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	-15	10	-23	8	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax	83	-38	28	81	'	'	'	'
Net change in certain retirement plans	0	0	-1	0	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	68	-28	4	89	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax	-57	16	-42	-53	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising Reclassed from OCI, Tax	$9	$6	$25	$5	'	'	'	'