| **Business Combinations Business Combinations (Tables)**             | 6 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
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| **Business Combinations [Abstract]**                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block] | The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of Spinal Modulation's and CardioMEMS' assets and liabilities included in St. Jude Medical's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 7, 2013 and February 27, 2013, respectively (in millions):  Spinal ModulationCardioMEMSCurrent assets $10$8Goodwill 11784Acquired in-process research and development (IPR&D) 5069Other intangible assets 10—Other long-term assets 12   Total assets  188163    Current liabilities 613Deferred income taxes, net 2226Other long-term liabilities —4   Total liabilities $28$43Non-controlling interest $160$89 |

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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of a material business combination completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. This table  does not include leveraged buyouts.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25497992&loc=d3e1392-128463Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25497992&loc=d3e1486-128463
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