Patent ID: 7326200

Claim:
A system for repairing a defect in an annulus of a spinal disc, comprising: at least one blocking member positionable at least adjacent to the defect in the annulus; at least one anchor engageable with said at least one blocking member to secure said blocking member to tissue adjacent the defect; and a guide instrument including a distal portion positionable in the defect, said guide instrument including a guide member adapted to guide an instrument for forming a hole in the tissue to receive the at least one anchor, said guide member being further adapted to guide a cutting instrument for forming a recess in the tissue extending between the hole and the defect while said distal portion is positioned in the defect, wherein said guide member of said guide instrument is elongated and includes a passage extending therethrough for receiving the instrument for forming the hole and a slot extending through said guide member in communication with said passage for receiving the instrument for forming the recess, further comprising a shaft extending proximally from said guide member and a handle assembly extending from said shaft, wherein said handle assembly includes a handle member oriented transversely to a longitudinal axis of said guide instrument and said handle member is securable at a plurality of locations along said shaft to adjust a length of said guide instrument extending distally from said handle member.