Patent ID: 8092536

Claim:
An assembly for the in situ formation of a prosthesis in an intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebrae of a patient, the assembly comprising: a plurality of retention structures adapted to be delivered sequentially through a lumen into the intervertebral disc space; at least a first lumen adapted to be extended into the intervertebral disc space and having a distal end proximate the at least one retention structure; one or more in situ curable biomaterials adapted to be delivered to the intervertebral disc space through the first lumen and into engagement with the retention structure, the biomaterial flowing into and around the retention structure, the retention structure adapted to retain at least a portion of the biomaterial in the intervertebral disc space, wherein the retention structure and the curable biomaterial are adapted to be retained in at least a portion of an anatomical annulus without a mold, wherein the at least partially cured biomaterial substantially encapsulates the at least one retention structure and cooperates with the at least one retention structure to comprise the prosthesis; and wherein the prosthesis is configured as a motion preservation device.