Patent ID: 8821549

Claim:
A system for repairing a defect in the anulus fibrosis (AF) of an intervertebral disc (IVD) between upper and lower vertebral bodies, the AF having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the AF defining an intervertebral space including nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue, the system comprising: a flexible longitudinal fixation component, wherein the flexible longitudinal fixation component terminates in end sections that are either attached to each other or coupled to at least one bone implant; at least one intra-aperture component sized and configured for positioning within a defect in the AF, the intra-aperture component comprising a proximal end, a distal portion and a plurality of holes through which the flexible longitudinal fixation component passes; wherein the intra-aperture component is folded along one or more proximal-to-distal fold lines to form one or more proximal-to-distal channels, the proximal-to-distal channels sized to facilitate the intentional initial passage of NP tissue through the intra-aperture component while preventing the extrusion of the NP tissue long term; wherein the distal portion of the intra-aperture component is configured to enter into an intradiscal space upon placement of the intra-aperture component within the defect in the AF; and wherein the flexible longitudinal fixation component is configured to pass through the holes in the intra-aperture component and outwardly through the AF on opposing sides of the defect, with one or both end sections of the flexible longitudinal fixation component crossing over the proximal end of the intra-aperture component, the holes are arranged diagonally across the intra-aperture component.