Patent ID: 7513911

Claim:
A method of implanting an implant in an intervertebral disc having an anulus fibrosis and a nucleus pulposus, comprising: identifying a defective region in the anulus fibrosis of the disc; selecting an implantation site with a first region comprising a weakened curved surface adjacent more than one region comprising a healthy surface; wherein said implantation site is located beyond the innermost layer of the anulus fibrosis; providing an implant having first and second end portions and a medial portion with greater flexibility than said first and second end portions; implanting the medial portion of the implant along the weakened curved surface such that the end portions extend along the adjacent healthy surfaces along the innermost layer of the anulus fibrosis; wherein said implant minimizes or prevents the migration of the nucleus pulposus from within the disc toward the defective region in the anulus; and wherein said implant is implanted without removing a substantial portion of the nucleus.