Patent ID: 7156877

Claim:
An implant for repairing an intervertebral disc, which disc comprises an annulus that substantially surrounds a nuclear space and is located between first and second adjacent vertebrae, said implant comprising: an inflatable membrane; said membrane having an internal chamber; said membrane having an internal self-sealing fill valve located within the internal chamber; said membrane being insertable in a collapsed configuration through a passageway formed across the annulus wall and into the nuclear space; said membrane being adjustable within the nuclear space from the collapsed configuration to an inflated configuration with a geometry configured to substantially fill the nuclear space such that a first portion of the membrane is located adjacent the first vertebra, a second portion of the membrane located opposite the first portion is positioned adjacent the second vertebra; wherein said internal self-sealing fill valve comprises internal opposing walls that are configured relative to the membrane so as to collapse as a result of a compressive load between the first and second vertebrae, and thus between the first and second membrane portions, and thereby disposed on said internal chamber; and wherein said membrane in the inflated configuration within the nuclear space is configured to contribute substantial support to the disc under the compressive load between the adjacent vertebrae.