Patent ID: 7857855

Claim:
A method for retaining an intra-discal material within an annulus fibrosis having a posterior annulus, an inside surface, and an opening, the opening having a lateral and a vertical dimension, comprising the steps of: providing a single wire and a band separate from the wire, the single wire comprising shape-memory material and having a first compressed configuration and a second expanded configuration; inserting the single wire in the first compressed configuration and the band through the opening in the annulus fibrosis, wherein the single wire expands to the second expanded configuration after insertion through the opening; and positioning the single wire and the band near the posterior annulus to rest against annulus fibrosis tissues adjacent the opening on the inside surface of the annulus fibrosis, wherein the band covers at least a portion of the single wire that is positioned to rest against annulus fibrosis tissues adjacent the opening on the inside surface of the annulus fibrosis, thereby preventing escape of intra-discal material through the opening.