Patent ID: 7963992

Claim:
A method of treating an intervertebral disc having an annulus, the method comprising: providing a first delivery tool having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion carrying a treatment device; providing at least one second delivery tool having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion carrying at least one fixation device configured to affix said treatment device to the intervertebral disc tissue, wherein said fixation device comprises two anchor portions and a connecting assembly connecting said anchor portions, said connecting assembly configured to be shortened and comprising a locking element; introducing the distal portion of the first delivery tool at least partially into the intervertebral disc through an aperture in the annulus, and expanding the treatment device so as to span across the aperture within the intervertebral disc; introducing the distal portion of said at least one second delivery tool at least partially into the intervertebral disc and through the annulus at a location adjacent to the aperture; delivering at least a portion of said at least one fixation device into, or through, a portion of the annulus and a portion of the treatment device, including disposing one of the anchor portions within the disc and against an internally oriented portion of the treatment device, and disposing the other of the anchor portions at and in engagement with an outer surface of the annulus; actuating said at least one second delivery tool, said actuating step causing shortening of the connecting assembly disposed between the anchor portions so as to apply tension to the connecting assembly and thereby secure the treatment device to the annulus between the anchor portions; securing said connecting assembly in a shortened configuration with a locking element; and removing said at least one second delivery tool; and removing said first delivery tool.