XML 80 R68.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.3.1.900

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Mar. 01, 2016 claim | Jan. 21, 2016 claim | Jan. 15, 2016 USD ($) | Nov. 05, 2015 claim | Aug. 07, 2015 patent | Jan. 22, 2014 patent | Aug. 19, 2010 landfill | Jun. 29, 2007 | Jul. 31, 2015 USD ($) claim | Oct. 30, 2015 USD ($) | Jan. 29, 2016 USD ($) claim | Apr. 24, 2015 USD ($) | Apr. 26, 2013 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accrued certain litigation charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,062 | $ 879 |
Covidien plc [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Tax sharing percentage, parent |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 42.00% |  |  |  |  |
Tax sharing percentage, former parent |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 27.00% |  |  |  |  |
Tax sharing percentage, former affiliate |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 31.00% |  |  |  |  |
Indemnification Agreement [Member] | Tax Years Prior To 2013 [Member] | Covidien plc [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum potential loss for tax indemnification |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 200
Orrington, Maine Chemical Manufacturing Facility [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of landfills requiring removal | landfill |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of landfills requiring capping | landfill |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3 |  |  |  |  |  |
Penobscot River and Bay Remediation [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Low cost estimate for potential remediation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 25 |  |
High cost estimate for potential remediation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 235 |  |
INFUSE [Member] | Product liability litigation [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingency, loss in period |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 26 |  |  |
INFUSE [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Product liability litigation [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of pending claims | claim | 6,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of claims settled | claim | 3,900 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pelvic mesh [Member] | Product liability litigation [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of pending claims | claim |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 15,800 |  |
Number of claims settled | claim |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 11,000 |  |  |  |
Settlement receivable |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 121 |  |  |  |
Pelvic mesh [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Product liability litigation [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of claims settled | claim | 4,200 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ethicon patent infringement [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of pending claims | claim |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Patents found not infringed | patent |  |  |  |  | 4 | 7 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Patents found invalid | patent |  |  |  |  |  | 5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of patents allegedly infringed upon | claim |  | 6 |  | 6 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Minimum [Member] | Domestic Tax Authority [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Income tax examination, settlement |  |  | $ 475 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum [Member] | Domestic Tax Authority [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Income tax examination, settlement |  |  | $ 525 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

X
- Definition Loss Contingency, Patents Found Invalid, Number + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mdt_LossContingencyPatentsFoundInvalidNumber
Namespace Prefix: | mdt_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Site Contingency, Number of Landfills Requiring Capping + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mdt_SiteContingencyNumberofLandfillsRequiringCapping
Namespace Prefix: | mdt_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Site Contingency, Number of Landfills Requiring Removal + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mdt_SiteContingencyNumberofLandfillsRequiringRemoval
Namespace Prefix: | mdt_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Tax Sharing Percentage, Former Affiliate + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mdt_TaxSharingPercentageFormerAffiliate
Namespace Prefix: | mdt_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Tax Sharing Percentage, Former Parent + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mdt_TaxSharingPercentageFormerParent
Namespace Prefix: | mdt_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Tax Sharing Percentage, Parent + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mdt_TaxSharingPercentageParent
Namespace Prefix: | mdt_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of judgment or settlement awarded to (against) the entity in respect of litigation. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of loss contingency liability. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of claims settled. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyClaimsSettledNumber
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of loss pertaining to the specified contingency that was charged against earnings in the period, including the effects of revisions in previously reported estimates. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyLossInPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of another entity's patents that the entity has allegedly infringed. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyPatentsAllegedlyInfringedNumber
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of another entity's patents that the entity was found not to have infringed. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyPatentsFoundNotInfringedNumber
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of pending claims pertaining to a loss contingency. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyPendingClaimsNumber
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The estimated maximum amount of possible loss from the contingency. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMaximum
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition High-end of the range estimate of the loss exposure for reasonably possible environmental contingencies at an individual site for which no accrual has been recorded. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (d)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13237-110859 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SiteContingencyLossExposureNotAccruedHighEstimate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Low-end of the range estimate of the loss exposure for reasonably possible environmental contingencies at an individual site for which no accrual has been recorded. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (c),(d)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13237-110859 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SiteContingencyLossExposureNotAccruedLowEstimate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of expense for penalties related to a tax position claimed or expected to be claimed in the tax return. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32718-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=mdt_CovidienPLCMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=us-gaap_IndemnificationGuaranteeMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_TaxPeriodAxis=mdt_TaxYearsPriorTo2013Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis=mdt_OrringtonMaineChemicalManufacturingFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis=mdt_PenobscotRiverandBayRemediationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=mdt_INFUSEProductLiabilityLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=us-gaap_DamagesFromProductDefectsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=mdt_PelvicMeshLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=mdt_EthiconPatentInfringementLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis=us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |