Patent ID: 8100914

Claim:
A system for treating an intervertebral disc having an aperture, weakened, or thin portion in the wall of the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc, the system comprising: a delivery device including a hollow needle cannula having a distal end with a sharp leading point and a groove along its side proximate the sharp leading point, and an ejection rod slidable within the hollow needle cannula and including a proximal end portion; and a fixation device including a pair of anchor members positioned within the distal end of the needle cannula, and a connecting element connecting the anchor members, the connecting element having an adjustable length between the anchor members and including a cinch line, a portion of the connecting element extending from the anchor members and through the groove in the needle cannula, the cinch line extending external to the needle cannula and proximally toward the proximal end portion of the ejection rod, the cinch line operable to be pulled to decrease the adjustable length of the connecting element between the anchor members, wherein the ejection rod is configured to be pushed in a distal direction a first distance within the needle cannula to expel one of the anchor members from the needle cannula, rotated, and subsequently pushed in the distal direction a second distance within the needle cannula to expel the other anchor member from the needle cannula.