1. A method for data storage, comprising:
for a memory comprising groups of memory cells, defining a normal mode and a protected mode, wherein in the protected mode a respective analog value of each memory cell remains at all times unambiguously indicative of a respective data value stored in that memory cell;
initially storing data in the memory using the normal mode; and
in response to an event, reverting to the protected mode for at least one of the groups of the memory cells.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
defining at least a first programming operation that stores first data in a given group of the memory cells by writing to the memory cells respective analog values representing respective bit values of the first data; and
defining at least a second programming operation that stores in the given group second data in addition to the first data by modifying the respective analog values of the memory cells in the given group so as to represent bit value combinations of the first and second data, such that, at all times during execution of the second programming operation in the protected mode, the analog value of each memory cell remains unambiguously indicative of the respective bit value of the first data stored in that memory cell.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein storing the data comprises configuring the first programming operation to program the memory cells with normal analog values when operating in the normal mode, and to program the memory cells with protected analog values, different from the normal analog values, when operating in the protected mode.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein reverting to the protected mode comprises identifying one or more groups of the memory cells that have been programmed only with the first data, and modifying the analog values in the memory cells of the identified groups from the normal analog values to the protected analog values.
5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
reading the data from the groups that are programmed in the normal mode using first read thresholds; and
reading the data from the groups that are programmed in the protected mode using second read thresholds that are different from the first read thresholds.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the event comprises reception of a flush command.
7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising acknowledging the flush command only after reverting to the protected mode.
8. A data storage apparatus, comprising:
a memory comprising groups of memory cells; and
a processor, which is configured to define a normal mode and a protected mode, wherein in the protected mode a respective analog value of each memory cell remains at all times unambiguously indicative of a respective data value stored in that memory cell, to initially store data in the memory using the normal mode, and, in response to an event, to revert to the protected mode for at least one of the groups of the memory cells.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to:
define at least a first programming operation that stores first data in a given group of the memory cells by writing to the memory cells respective analog values representing respective bit values of the first data; and
define a second programming operation that stores in the given group second data in addition to the first data by modifying the respective analog values of the memory cells in the given group so as to represent bit value combinations of the first and second data,
wherein, at all times during execution of the second programming operation in the protected mode, the analog value of each memory cell remains unambiguously indicative of the respective bit value of the first data stored in that memory cell.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to configure the first programming operation so as to program the memory cells with normal analog values when operating in the normal mode, and with protected analog values, different from the normal analog values, when operating in the protected mode.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to identify one or more groups of the memory cells that have been programmed only with the first data, and to modify the analog values in the memory cells of the identified groups from the normal analog values to the protected analog values.
12. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to read the data from the groups that are programmed in the normal mode using first read thresholds, and to read the data from the groups that are programmed in the protected mode using second read thresholds that are different from the first read thresholds.
13. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the event comprises reception of a flush command.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to acknowledge the flush command only after reverting to the protected mode.
15. A system, comprising:
a host; and
a storage device, comprising:
a memory comprising groups of memory cells; and
a processor configured to define a normal mode and a protected mode, wherein in the protected mode a respective analog value of each memory cell remains at all times unambiguously indicative of a respective data value stored in that memory cell, to initially store data in the memory using the normal mode, and, in response to an event, to revert to the protected mode for at least one of the groups of the memory cells.
16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to:
define at least a first programming operation that stores first data in a given group of the memory cells by writing to the memory cells respective analog values representing respective bit values of the first data; and
define a second programming operation that stores in the given group second data in addition to the first data by modifying the respective analog values of the memory cells in the given group so as to represent bit value combinations of the first and second data,
wherein, at all times during execution of the second programming operation in the protected mode, the analog value of each memory cell remains unambiguously indicative of the respective bit value of the first data stored in that memory cell.
17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the processor is configured to configure the first programming operation so as to program the memory cells with normal analog values when operating in the normal mode, and with protected analog values, different from the normal analog values, when operating in the protected mode.
18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to identify one or more groups of the memory cells that have been programmed only with the first data, and to modify the analog values in the memory cells of the identified groups from the normal analog values to the protected analog values.
19. The system according to claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to read the data from the groups that are programmed in the normal mode using first read thresholds, and to read the data from the groups that are programmed in the protected mode using second read thresholds that are different from the first read thresholds.
20. The system according to claim 15, wherein the event comprises reception of a flush command from the host.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A device for applying torque to a guidewire, comprising:
a body having a guidewire channel formed therein that extends along the length of the body, the channel having open ends on opposite sides of the body;
wherein the body is configured to shift between a first generally uncompressed configuration and a second generally compressed configuration;
wherein a guidewire disposed in the channel is freely slidable therein when the body is in the first configuration;
wherein the guidewire disposed in the channel is securely held in the channel when the body is shifted to the second configuration; and
a ring disposed about the body for shifting the body between the first and the second configuration.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the body is formed from a flexible plastic.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the body includes polyethylene, polyurethane, or a thermoplastic material.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the body has a first end having a first outer dimension and a second end having a second outer dimension greater than the first outer dimension.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the body is tapered.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the channel is substantially U-shaped.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the ring has an opening formed therein.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the ring includes a handle.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the ring includes a grip.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the ring shifts the body between the first configuration and the second configuration by sliding the ring longitudinally along the body.
11. A clamshell device for applying torque to a guidewire, comprising:
a body having a lower section and an upper section;
wherein the lower section and the upper section are attached by a hinge and are foldable over a guidewire disposed between the lower section and the upper section;
a lower guidewire opening formed in the lower section; and
an upper guidewire opening formed in the upper section.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the lower section has a length and wherein the lower guidewire opening extends along the entire length of the lower section.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the upper section has a length and wherein the upper guidewire opening extends along the entire length of the upper section.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the lower guidewire opening and the upper guidewire opening are aligned when the lower section and the upper section are folded over the guidewire.
15. The device of claim 13, wherein the lower guidewire opening and the upper guidewire opening are curved.
16. The device of claim 11, wherein upper section includes an upper arcuate support disposed adjacent to the upper guidewire opening and wherein the lower section includes a lower arcuate support disposed adjacent to the lower guidewire opening.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein the upper arcuate support is disposed within the lower guidewire opening when the lower section and the upper section are folded over the guidewire.
18. The device of claim 17, wherein the lower arcuate support is disposed within the upper guidewire opening when the lower section and the upper section are folded over the guidewire.
19. The device of claim 11, wherein at least one of the upper guidewire opening and the lower guidewire opening has a grip enhancing material disposed therein.
20. A clip assembly for maintaining a guidewire in a coiled configuration, comprising:
a first jaw member;
a second jaw member;
a clip securing the first jaw member with the second jaw member;
wherein the first jaw member and the second jaw member are configured to be disposed around a plurality of coils formed in a guidewire; and
a guidewire torquing device for applying torque to the guidewire secured to the clip assembly.