Assets Total Segment Assets Including Corporate and All Other Total Assets Total Assets Cash and equivalents Opening Cash and Equivalents Closing Cash and Equivalents Cash and equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Inventory, Net Total inventory Inventories Total Current Assets Total Current Assets Assets, Current Goodwill Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill in diagnostics segment Goodwill Goodwill Other Assets Noncurrent Other Total Current Liabilities Total Current Liabilities Liabilities, Current Common stock - $1 par value: authorized - 640,000,000 shares; issued-332,662,160 shares in 2008 and 2007 Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock - $1 par value: authorized - 640,000,000 shares; issued-332,662,160 shares in 2010 and 2009 Retained earnings Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Common stock in treasury - at cost - 89,584,786 shares in 2008 and 88,825,066 shares in 2007 Common stock in treasury - at cost - 102,845,609 shares in 2010 and 95,579,970 shares in 2009 Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Common shares in treasury - at cost Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Ending Balance Beginning Balance Total Shareholders' Equity Total Shareholders' Equity Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Revenue Revenues Revenue Total Revenue Revenues Cost of products sold Cost of products sold Cost of Goods and Services Sold Selling and administrative expense Selling and administrative expense Selling, General and Administrative Expense Costs and Expenses Share-based payment included in consolidated statements of income Total Operating Costs and Expenses Interest Expense Interest expense Interest expense Charged to operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Minority Interest, and Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Total Segment Operating Income Total Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income Tax Provision Income tax provision Total Income from Continuing Operations Income from continuing operations Income From Continuing Operations Income from Continuing Operations Income from continuing operations, net Basic Earnings per Share, Income from Continuing Operations Income from Continuing Operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Outstanding Share, Total Basic Earnings per Share, Income (loss) from Discontinued Operations Income from Discontinued Operations Income from Discontinued Operations Income (loss) from Discontinued Operations Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic Earnings per Share Basic Earnings per Share Diluted Earnings per Share, Income from Continuing Operations Income from Continuing Operations Diluted Earnings per Share, Income (loss) from Discontinued Operations Income from Discontinued Operations Income from Discontinued Operations Income (loss) from Discontinued Operations Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted Earnings per Share Diluted Earnings per Share Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Total, Deferred Pension obligation Pension obligation Increase Decrease In Other Operating Capital Net Other, net Other, net Net Cash Provided by Continuing Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Capital expenditures Capital expenditures Capital expenditures Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired Acquisitions of business, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Cash Other, net Other, net Other, net Other, net Net Cash Used for Continuing Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Change in short-term debt Change in short-term debt Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-term Debt Payments of debt Payments of debt Repayments of Long-term Debt Payments of debt Repurchase of common stock Repurchase of common stock Repurchase of common stock Excess tax benefits from payments under share-based compensation plans Excess tax benefit from payments under share-based compensation plans Net Cash Used for Continuing Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations Net Cash Provided by Discontinued Operations Net Cash Provided by Discontinued Operations Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net decrease in cash and equivalents Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Equivalents Financial Instruments Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure TextBlock Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Share-Based Compensation Segment Data Segment Data Operating Income Operating Income Operating Income (Loss) Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other income (expense), net Other (expense) income, net Current Liabilities [Abstract] Current Liabilities Current Assets [Abstract] Current Assets Discontinued Operations Discontinued Operations: Diluted Earnings per Share [Abstract] Diluted Earnings per Share Basic Earnings per Share [Abstract] Basic Earnings per Share Benefit Plans [Abstract] Benefit Plans [Abstract] Benefit Plans [Abstract] Segment Data [Abstract] Segment Data [Abstract] Segment Data [Abstract] Includes intangibles (which do not qualify for separate disclosure on the balance sheet under materiality guidelines) with finite lives, such as patents, that are amortized over period principally ranging from two to 40 years, using the straight-line method. Also includes indefinite-lived assets such as certain trademarks that are expected to generate cash flows indefinitely and are reviewed annual for impairment. Also includes research and development assets acquired in a business combination that will be amortized as finite-lived intangible assets upon completion or written off upon abandonment. Other Intangibles, Net Other Intangibles, Net Short-term debt Short-term debt Debt, Current Income derived from investments in debt securities and on cash and cash equivalents the earnings of which reflect the time value of money or transactions in which the payments are for the use or forbearance of money. Also includes investment movements on assets relating to the Company's deferred compensation plan. Interest income Interest income Intangible Assets Other Intangible Assets Shareholders' Equity Shareholders' Equity Shareholders' Equity [Abstract] Research And Development Expense Operating Research and Development Expense Research and development expense Research and development The aggregate costs incurred (1) in a planned search or critical investigation aimed at discovery of new knowledge with the hope that such knowledge will be useful in developing a new product or service, a new process or technique, or in bringing about a significant improvement to an existing product or process; or (2) to translate research findings or other knowledge into a plan or design for a new product or process or for a significant improvement to an existing product or process whether intended for sale or the entity's use, during the reporting period charged to research and development projects, including the costs of developing computer software up to the point in time of achieving technological feasibility. Excludes expenses recognized relating to acquired in process cost. Long-Term Employee Benefit Obligations Long Term Employee Benefit Obligations Includes the noncurrent liability for underfunded plans recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with the defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement defined benefit plans. Also includes the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the portion of the obligations recognized for the various benefits provided to former or inactive employees, their beneficiaries, and covered dependents after employment but before retirement that is payable after one year (or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Additionally includes aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the liabilities for all deferred compensation arrangements payable after one year. Represents currently earned compensation under compensation arrangements that is not actually paid until a later date. Assets [Abstract] Assets Capitalized Software, Net Capitalized Computer Software, Net, Total Capitalized Computer Software, Net, Beginning Balance Capitalized Computer Software, Net, Ending Balance Capitalized Computer Software, Net Trade receivables, net Accounts, Notes and Loans Receivable, Net, Current, Total Accounts, Notes and Loans Receivable, Net, Current Other Assets, Current Prepaid expenses, deferred taxes and other Capital in excess of par value Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Payments of Dividends, Common Stock Dividends paid Dividends paid Dividends paid Dividends paid Accounting Changes Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash used for investing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations Net cash used for investing activities Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Earnings per Share Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Short-term investments Other Short-term Investments Adjustments to income from continuing operations to derive net cash provided by continuing operating activities, net of amounts acquired: Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Benefit Plans Benefit Plans Disclosure Text Block The disclosures relating to the sponsor of defined benefit pension plans and other defined benefit postretirement plans. Provides information separately for pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans including the entity's schedule of fair value of plan assets for defined benefit or other postretirement plans. Also, the disclosures relating to postemployment benefits which may include supplemental unemployment benefits, obligations recognized for all types of benefits provided to former or inactive employees, their beneficiaries, and covered dependents after employment but before retirement. Long-term debt Loans Payable to Bank, Noncurrent Total Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt Deferred Income Taxes and Other Other Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation and Amortization, Total Depreciation and amortization Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Capitalized Computer Software, Period Increase (Decrease) Capitalized software Capitalized Computer Software, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Issuance of common stock and other, net Issuance of common stock and other, net Common Stock, Shares Held in Employee Trust Deferred compensation Common stock held in trusts, net Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Core and Developed Technology, Net Core And Developed Technology Net Core and Developed Technology, Net. Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements. Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Acquisitions Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract] Operations Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Financial Position Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Accounting Changes [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract] Share-Based Compensation [Abstract] Earnings per Share [Abstract] Earnings per Share: Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Liabilities Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Earnings per Share (Tables) [Abstract] Earnings per Share. Earnings per Share (Details) [Abstract] Earnings per Share. Average common shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Average Common and Common Equivalent Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding - assuming dilution Weighted average common shares used in the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Weighted average common shares used in the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share Weighted average common shares used in the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share Text Block Weighted average common shares used in the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share Text Block. Benefit Plans Tables. Benefit Plans (Tables) [Abstract] Benefit Plans Details. Benefit Plans (Details) [Abstract] Net pension and postretirement cost Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract] Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost Service cost Service cost Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost Interest cost Interest cost Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit) Amortization of prior service (credit) cost Amortization of prior service (credit) cost Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses) Amortization of loss (gain) Amortization of loss (gain) Amortization of loss Amortization of loss (gain) Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost Postemployment benefit costs, Total Net pension and postretirement cost Net pension and postretirement cost Benefit Plans Textuals. Benefit Plans (Textuals) [Abstract] Benefit Plans (Textuals) [Abstract] Postemployment Benefits, Period Expense Postemployment benefit costs, Total Postemployment benefit costs, Total Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Net pension and postretirement cost Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Text Block] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Divestitures Divestitures (Details) [Abstract] Divestitures Details. Revenues Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax, Total Income from discontinued operations before income taxes Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation Income tax provision Less income tax provision Less: income tax provision Divestitures (Textuals) [Abstract] Divestitures Textuals. Divestitures (Textuals) [Abstract] Results of discontinued operations Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information. Patents, trademarks, and other Member. Patents, trademarks, and other [Member] Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net Income Net Income Net income Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Income from discontinued operations, net Income from Discontinued Operations Net of income tax provision of $40,703, $19,975 and $13,191 Income from discontinued operations, net Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment Dilutive share equivalents from share-based plans Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses Divestiture of businesses Proceeds received on sale of assets Derivatives, Policy [Text Block] Derivative Financial Instruments Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Total Proceeds from long-term debt Intangible Assets [Abstract] Intangible Assets. Share Based Compensation Total Share Based Compensation Share-based compensation Share Based Compensation Share-based Compensation, Total Share-Based Compensation Maturity Period Of Cash Equivalents Maturity period of cash equivalents. Maturity period of cash equivalents at the time of purchase Minimum Maturity Period Of Short Term Investment Minimum maturity period of Short-Term Investment at the time of purchase, months Minimum Maturity Period Of Short Term Investment. Maximum Maturity Period Of Short Term Investment Maximum maturity period of Short-Term Investment at the time of purchase, years Maximum Maturity Period Of Short Term Investment. Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum, in years Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum, in years Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum, in years Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Maximum Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Maximum, in years Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net (Gain) Loss Due to Settlements Settlements Statement [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment by Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Building [Member] Leasehold Improvements [Member] Machinery and Equipment [Member] Statement [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation Benefit obligation at September 30 Beginning obligation Pension plan projected benefit obligation Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Amendments Plan amendments Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid Benefits paid Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Net (Gains) Losses Actuarial loss (gain) Change In Benefit Obligation Other Includes Translation Other, includes translation Other, includes translation Change In Benefit Obligation Other Includes Translation. Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets Balance at September 30, 2010 Balance at September 30, 2009 Fair value of plan assets Pension plan assets at fair value Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets, Total Actual return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer Employer contribution Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, before Tax [Abstract] Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income before income taxes at September 30: Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net Transition Assets (Obligations), before Tax Net transition asset (obligation) Net transition asset (obligation) Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), before Tax Prior service credit (cost) Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net Gains (Losses), before Tax Net actuarial loss Net actuarial loss Net actuarial loss Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, before Tax Net amount recognized Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Abstract] Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30: Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Current Liabilities Salaries, wages and related items Salaries, wages and related items Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent Long-term Employee Benefit Obligations Long-term Employee Benefit Obligations Long-term Employee Benefit Obligations Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet Net amount recognized Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Projected Benefit Obligation Projected benefit obligation Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Accumulated Benefit Obligation Accumulated benefit obligation Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Fair Value of Plan Assets Fair value of plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract] Benefit Obligation Weighted Average Assumptions In Determining Pension Plan Text Block Weighted average assumptions in determining pension plan. Weighted average assumptions in determining pension plan Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate Discount rate Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase Rate of compensation increase Expected Benefit Payments Text Block Expected benefit payments. Expected benefit payments Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Abstract] Expected benefit payments