Patent ID: 9433404
Filing Date: 2016-09-06
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. A method of closing a fissure or other defect in an annulus fibrosus (AF) having an outer surface and an inner surface, the method comprising the steps of: providing a flexible longitudinal fixation component terminating in a distal end coupled to a first anchor component, and a proximal second anchor component slidingly coupled along the flexible longitudinal fixation component, wherein at least one of the first anchor component and the second anchor component comprise a hole for receiving the flexible longitudinal fixation component and a projection for (i) permitting the flexible longitudinal fixation component to slide through the hole in a first direction, and (ii) preventing the flexible longitudinal fixation component from sliding through the hole in a second direction; inserting the first anchor component through a first insertion point in the AF from the inside out on one side of the defect in the AF such that the first anchor component passes the inner surface of the AF and a first exposed portion of the flexible longitudinal fixation component extends outwardly from the first insertion point; applying tension to the first exposed portion of the flexible longitudinal fixation component such that the first anchor component becomes firmly seated against the inner surface of the AF; inserting the second anchor component through a second insertion point in the AF from the inside out on the other side of the defect in the AF such that the first exposed portion crosses over the defect and into the second insertion point, and a second exposed portion of the flexible longitudinal fixation component extends outwardly from the second insertion point; and applying tension to the second exposed portion such that the flexible longitudinal fixation component slides through the second anchor component, applying tension to the first exposed portion, thereby closing the defect in the AF and causing the second anchor to become firmly seated against the inner surface of the AF.