Patent ID: 8034112

Claim:
A method for treating an aperture, weakened or thinned portion of an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc wherein said disc has an exterior surface and an interior region, said method including the use of an implant and an implant delivery tool, said implant delivery tool comprising tubular means for delivery of said implant, said implant comprising an elongate, flexible member having two end portions and an intermediary portion between said end portions, wherein said intermediary portion traverses a helical pathway comprising at least two rotations, and wherein one rotation is positioned closer to the interior of the disc than the other rotation, positioning said elongate, flexible member at least partially into or through tissue surrounding said aperture, weakened or thinned portion of the annulus fibrosus, and applying tension to the intermediary portion of the elongate, flexible member so as to at least partially draw together the tissue surrounding said aperture, weakened or thinned portion of the annulus fibrosus.