Patent ID: 7947080

Claim:
A method for treating an annulus fibrosis having an outer layer, at least one inner layer, and a defect extending through the outer and inner layers, comprising the steps of: inserting a porous mesh into the defect in the annulus fibrosis; advancing the porous mesh distally beyond the outer layer in the annulus fibrosis; expanding the porous mesh to a size larger than the defect; providing a first elongate fastening member having a first end region, a second end region, and an anchor on the first end region, the anchor being substantially transverse to the first end region of the first elongate fastening member when deployed; and inserting the first end region of the first elongate fastening member through the porous mesh such that the anchor is located distally beyond the porous mesh, wherein the porous mesh prevents escape of nucleus pulposus through the defect.