Abstract: A data storage system configured to adaptively code data and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments of the present invention, a data storage system includes a controller and a non-volatile memory array having a plurality of memory pages. The controller includes a channel monitor that determines the quality of read signals from the pages when they are read, and provides adjustment metrics to aid in the selection of a code rate, such as a code rate for a low-density parity-check (LDPC) code. In this way, the code rate used for data encoding can be dynamically adjusted to accommodate degradation of the non-volatile memory array over its useable life.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention, a data storage device includes a controller and a memory. The data storage device further includes an LDPC encoder and decoder, with the decoder implementing a dynamic precision-rescaling technique for improving performance. In one embodiment, the technique works by rescaling the binary representations of the input log-likelihood ratios (LLRs) and messages upon activation of decoder-state-based triggers. Various triggering functions are introduced, e.g., checking if the number of output LLRs smaller than a certain limit crosses a threshold, checking if the weight of a syndrome crosses a threshold, etc. This technique offers an improvement in the performance of the decoder.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a plurality of disk surfaces, and a head actuated over each disk surface, where each head comprises a fly height actuator (FHA) operable to control a fly height of the head over the corresponding disk surface. A fly height is measured for each head to generate a plurality of fly height measurements. An average value is generated in response to the plurality of fly height measurements, and a first control value is generated for a first head based on the average value and the fly height measurement for the first head. The first FHA of the first head is controlled in response to the first control value.

Abstract: Embodiments of decoding data stored in solid-state memory arrays are disclosed. In one embodiment, multiple read operations are performed while taking inter-cell interference (ICI) into account. Soft-decision information, such as log-likelihood ratios (LLRs), is determined by using known data and its corresponding multi-read output. Soft-decision information is provided to a detector. Reliability is improved and performance is increased.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a non-volatile memory (NVM). First data is written to a first area of the NVM, and a first estimated data sequence is read from the first area of the NVM. The first estimated data sequence is first decoded, and a log-likelihood ratio (LLR) is first updated based on the first decode. Second data is written to a second area of the NVM, and a second estimated data sequence is read from the second area of the non-volatile memory. The second estimated data sequence is second decoded in response to the first updated LLR, and the LLR is second updated based on the second decode.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk and a fly height actuator operable to control a fly height of the head in response to a fly height control signal. A touchdown operation is executed to set an operating fly height control signal by adjusting the fly height control signal until the head contacts the disk. A fly height calibration track is then read to set a fly height reference. When calibrating the operating fly height control signal, the fly height calibration track is read and the operating fly height control signal is adjusted in response to the fly height reference. When the adjusted operating fly height control signal is invalid, the touchdown operation is re-executed to reset the operating fly height control signal and then the fly height calibration track is read to reset the fly height reference.

Abstract: A device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body. The device has a filter element being expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The filter element includes a material having pores, and the material having pores includes cylindrical wires having at least three different diameters arranged in a pattern of graduated diameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting touchdown of a head on a disk are provided. In one embodiment, a disk drive comprises a thermal sensor configured to sense a temperature of a head and to generate a thermal signal based on the sensed temperature. The disk drive also comprises touchdown circuit configured to receive the thermal signal, to increment a count value each time the thermal signal exceeds a thermal threshold, and to output a fault signal when the count value is equal to or exceeds a count threshold.

Abstract: A device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body. The device has a filter element being expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The filter element includes a material having pores, and the material having pores includes cylindrical wires having at least three different diameters arranged in a pattern of graduated diameters.

Abstract: An embolic protection device or system for use in a lumen of a vessel in a patient's vascular system. The device filters debris and blood clots in a body lumen and/or prevents them from moving distally from a treatment site in a vessel and causing emboli. The device may include a filter placed distally of the treatment site. The device may include an occlusive element placed either distally or proximally of the treatment site.

Abstract: A distal protection device for use in a body lumen. The device includes a functional element which may be a filter or an occlusive element. The device includes means for controlling the movement and placement of the functional element along a guidewire. Motion of the guidewire can be independent of the motion of the functional element.

Abstract: Everting filter devices and methods for using the devices, including using the devices as intra-vascular filters to filter thrombus, emboli, and plaque fragments from blood vessels. The filter devices include a filter body nominally tubular in shape and having a large proximal opening. The filter body can extend from a proximal first end region distally over the non-everted exterior surface of the filter, further extending distally to a distal-most region, then converging inwardly and extending proximally toward the filter second end region, forming a distal everted cavity. The degree of eversion of the filter can be controlled by varying the distance between the filter first end region near the proximal opening and the closed second end region. Bringing the filter first and second end regions closer together can bring filter material previously on the non-everted filter exterior to occupy the distal-most region.

Abstract: A distal protection device for use in a body lumen. The device includes a functional element which may be a filter or an occlusive element. The device includes means for controlling the movement and placement of the functional element along a guidewire. Motion of the guidewire can be independent of the motion of the functional element.

Abstract: A device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body. The device has a filter element being expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The filter element includes a material having pores, and the material having pores includes cylindrical wires having at least three different diameters arranged in a pattern of graduated diameters.

Abstract: A guide wire comprising an elongate, flexible core having a proximal region, a proximal end, a distal region, and a distal end; and a plurality of wire strands wrapped helically parallel to one another and disposed on at least a portion of the distal region of the core.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a drug delivery mechanism for use with a protection device. The protection device has an expandable filter. The drug delivery mechanism automatically delivers a drug to the filter without requiring the intervention of the operator of the protection device. The drug delivered to the filter facilitates continued filter patency during the medical procedure.

Abstract: A disk drive for determining a write jog value is disclosed. The disk drive comprises: a disk; a head including a reader and a writer; and a processor. The processor controls operations in the disk drive including: commanding the reader to track follow on a first track, wherein the writer is located over an uncalibrated track position; commanding the writer to write a first test pattern on a section of the disk; commanding the writer to move by a plurality of step amounts to write a plurality of test patterns; commanding the reader to move by a second plurality of step amounts to read the plurality of test patterns; determining a reader signal value associated with each test pattern; determining the uncalibrated track position based on the read signal values; and determining the write jog value based on the distance between the first track and the uncalibrated track position.

Abstract: A synchronous read channel having a single chip integrated circuit digital portion which provides digital gain control, timing recovery, equalization, digital peak detection, sequence detection, RLL(1,7) encoding and decoding, error-tolerant synchronization and channel quality measurement is disclosed. The integrated circuit accommodates both center sampling and side sampling, and has a high degree of programmability of various pulse shaping and recovery parameters and the ability to provide decoded data using sequence detection or digital peak detection. These characteristics, together with the error-tolerant sync mark detection and the ability to recover data when the sync mark is obliterated, allow a wide variety of retry and recovery strategies to maximize the possibility of data recovery.

Abstract: A guide wire comprising an elongate, flexible core having a proximal region, a proximal end, a distal region, and a distal end, and the distal region having a tapered portion; a plurality of wire strands wrapped helically parallel to one another and disposed on at least a portion of the tapered distal region of the core; a polymer tie layer disposed on at least a portion of the plurality of wire strands; and a lubricious polymer layer disposed on the polymer tie layer.

Abstract: Minimally invasive introducers and methods that can be used for rotationally securing devices within the human body. Introducers can include a distal element for releasably engaging a lead head controllable from a proximal control located outside of the body. An inner stem can extend between a proximal portion and a distal portion, and be pivotally and rotatably coupled to the distal lead engagement mechanism. An outer tube can be rotatably disposed over the inner stem and be flexibly coupled over the pivot to rotationally drive the distal element. A helical epicardial-myocardial lead electrode can be secured and oriented straight ahead and introduced through a port or small incision with the introducer in a straight configuration. The introducer can then be bent and rotated to screw the helical electrode into the heart.