| **Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Tables)**                                                 | 6 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
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| **Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]**                                          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| Schedule Of Changes In Carrying Amount Of Goodwill                                                | The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for each of the Company’s reportable segments (see Note 13) for the six months ended June 30, 2012 were as follows (in millions):  CRM/NMD CV/AF TotalBalance at December 31, 2011$1,235 $1,718 $2,953Foreign currency translation and other(2) (6) (8)Balance at June 30, 2012$1,233 $1,712 $2,945                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Schedule Of Gross Carrying Amount Of Other Intangible Assets And Related Accumulated Amortization | The following table provides the gross carrying amount of other intangible assets and related accumulated amortization (in millions): June 30, 2012 December 31, 2011 GrossCarryingAmount AccumulatedAmortization GrossCarryingAmount AccumulatedAmortizationDefinite-lived intangible assets:       Purchased technology and patents$931 $306 $922 $276Customer lists and relationships60 36 48 25Trademarks and tradenames24 11 24 8Licenses, distribution agreements and other6 4 6 4 $1,021 $357 $1,000 $313Indefinite-lived intangible assets:       Acquired IPR&D$109   $120  Trademarks and tradenames49   49   $158   $169   |

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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of amortizable intangibles assets, in total and by major class, including the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.
+ References
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of goodwill by reportable segment and in total. Disclosure details may include, but are not limited to, the carrying amount of goodwill, goodwill acquired during the year, goodwill impairment losses recognized, goodwill written-off due to the sale of a business unit, goodwill not yet allocated, and any other changes to goodwill.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905597&loc=d3e13854-109267Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905597&loc=d3e13816-109267Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph c -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph e -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 47 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.
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