Patent ID: 8105384

Claim:
A method of repairing a weakened segment of an anulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc comprising the steps of: identifying a weakened segment in an anulus fibrosus, wherein the weakened segment comprises a hole; wherein the hole is bordered by an outermost layer of the anulus and an innermost layer of the anulus; providing a disc repair device comprising a first support member, a connection member, and a second support member, wherein said first support member has at least one dimension larger than the hole, wherein said second support member comprises a plate or rod, wherein said connection member comprises a suture, and wherein said connection member connects the first support member and the second support member; inserting at least a portion of said disc repair device into the weakened segment; positioning the disc repair device so that at least a portion of the first support member is beyond the innermost layer of the anulus; positioning the disc repair device so that at least a portion of the second support member contacts the weakened segment of the annulus; and anchoring the second support member to a vertebral body.