Patent ID: 8317868

Claim:
A method for repairing an imperfection on a disc associated with a spinal column using a prosthesis having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion connecting the first end portion to the second end portion, the method comprising: inserting the first end portion of the prosthesis into a first portion of the disc on a first side of the imperfection by moving a trigger of a delivery device through a first range of motion, wherein the trigger has an actuating range of motion between a pre-actuated position and a post-actuated position, wherein the actuating range of motion includes the first range of motion and a second range of motion, and wherein the first range of motion begins closer to the pre-actuated position than the second range of motion; inserting the second end portion of the prosthesis into a second portion of the disc by moving the trigger of the delivery device through the second range of motion, wherein the second portion of the disc is circumferentially spaced from the first portion of the disc on a second side of the imperfection; and spanning the imperfection with the central portion of the prosthesis, wherein inserting the second end portion of the prosthesis into the second portion of the disc draws the first side of the imperfection toward the second side of the imperfection.