Patent ID: 7824414
Filing Date: 2010-11-02
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A treatment device for repairing a defect in the intervertebral disc of a living being, said device comprising; an elongated instrument, at least one bridging member, a plurality of positioning elements, a plurality of passage means, and a plurality of connector members; wherein when said elongated instrument is placed in or near the defect, (i) said elongated instrument delivers said at least one bridging member inside of the intervertebral disc at a first location; (ii) said elongated instrument displaces said at least one bridging member from said first location to a second location at at least a portion of the defect; (iii) said connector members deploy from said elongated instrument into tissue at or near the defect and engage said at least one bridging member such that said at least one bridging member is secured at said second location; (iv) said positioning elements position a portion of said connector members to a location where the passage means intersects with said portion of said connector members; and (v) said plurality of passage means extend from a retracted condition to pierce the tissue surrounding the defect, become attached to said positioned portion of said connector members, and draw said portion of said connector members back through said pierced tissue as said plurality of passage means are retracted back to said retracted position; wherein said at least one bridging member provides support to the intervertebral disc, and wherein the treatment comprises said support.