Patent ID: 7883527
Filing Date: 2011-02-08
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for repairing a vertebral annulus having an aperture formed therein, comprising: introducing a blocking element situated on the end of an insertion rod through at least a portion of said aperture such that a plurality of tethers attached to said blocking element extend proximally out of said hole along said insertion rod, said blocking element having a first length, and said insertion rod being disposed through an insertion tube and moveable relative to said insertion tube; and moving said insertion rod and said insertion tube relative to each other to radially expand at least a portion of said blocking element such that said blocking element has a second length shorter than said first length and said expanded portion of said blocking element blocks said aperture, said expanded portion of said blocking element being positioned beyond an inner surface of said annulus in an interior annular space to block said aperture.