Patent ID: 7632313

Claim:
A method for repairing an imperfection on a disc associated with a spinal column comprising the steps of: puncturing a first portion of the disc on a first side of the imperfection with a first penetrating member, wherein the first penetrating member carries a substantial portion of a first end of a prosthesis within a channel formed in the first penetrating member; inserting the first end portion of the prosthesis into the first portion of the disc by moving a trigger a first distance to eject the first end portion of the prosthesis from the first channel; the prosthesis having a central portion connected to the first end portion and a second end portion connected to the central portion; the first end portion having a first anchoring device, and the second end portion having a second anchoring device; puncturing a second portion of the disc that is circumferentially spaced from the first portion of the disc on a second side of the imperfection with a second penetrating member, wherein the second penetrating member carries a substantial portion of the second end portion within a second channel formed in the second penetrating member; inserting the second end portion of the prosthesis into the second portion of the disc by moving the trigger a second distance to eject the second end portion of the prosthesis from the second channel, wherein the first end portion of the prosthesis remains substantially stationary while the second end portion is being ejected; spanning the imperfection with the central portion of the prosthesis; and wherein the second end portion of the prosthesis is further inserted into the disc thereby drawing the first side of the imperfection closer to the second side of the imperfection.