Patent ID: 8163019
Filing Date: 2012-04-24
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for restraining a nuclear implant in an intervertebral nuclear space between adjacent upper and lower vertebrae, the method comprising: creating a through opening in an annular wall into the nuclear space with the through opening having a height less than that of the annular wall extending between the upper and lower vertebrae such that a portion of the annular wall is left intact adjacent one of the upper and lower vertebrae above or below the opening, respectively, and the through opening extends from an outer surface to an inner surface thereof for the full thickness of the annular wall with the wall inner surface extending about the nuclear space to allow insertion of the nuclear implant into the nuclear space; inserting the nuclear implant through the through opening in the annular wall into the nuclear space so that the nuclear implant traverses the entire thickness of the annular wall for inserting the implant into the nuclear space; driving an elongate anchoring portion of a single, one-piece fastener into one of the adjacent vertebrae to position a radially enlarged head portion of the single, one-piece fastener in the through opening between the outer and inner surfaces of the annular wall such that the radially enlarged head portion and the intact annular wall portion adjacent the one vertebra cooperate to obstruct an exit path of the implant out from the nuclear space and through the through opening, wherein the nuclear implant is a two-piece articulating implant having upper and lower shell members and the head portion of the single fastener is positioned adjacent to at least one of the upper and lower shells.