Patent ID: 8394146
Filing Date: 2013-03-12
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of establishing an anchor along an endplate adjacent an intervertebral disc, comprising: identifying a vertebral body comprising an outer surface and an endplate, wherein the outer surface is offset at an angle substantially perpendicular from the endplate and extends around a circumference of the vertebral body; identifying a defect in an intervertebral disc adjacent said vertebral body; providing a prosthetic barrier coupled to a bone anchor, wherein the prosthetic barrier is configured to repair the defect in the intervertebral disc, wherein the bone anchor comprises a neck, wherein said neck has a length defined by a sharpened leading edge and a trailing end, wherein said neck comprises an attachment site along at least a portion of its length, wherein said attachment site is attachable to the prosthetic barrier, wherein the attachment site is configured to extend above the endplate, wherein said neck comprises a bottom portion terminating in a keel portion, wherein said keel portion comprises a sharpened leading edge, wherein the attachment site is offset relative to both the anchor's angle of insertion and said neck to present said attachment site along the endplate, while said keel portion is inserted into the outer surface of the vertebral body; advancing the sharpened leading edge of the keel portion within the outer surface while simultaneously advancing the attachment site, and thereby the prosthetic barrier, along and across the endplate, wherein the bone anchor is driven within the outer surface of the vertebral body along a trajectory that is substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the vertebral body and substantially parallel to the endplate; countersinking said bone anchor within said outer surface of the vertebral body such that no portion of said bone anchor lies beyond said outer surface of the vertebral body; and positioning the prosthetic barrier to close the defect.