Importance

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Abstract

Disclosed herein are devices, systems and methods to repair, bridge and protect defects in an annular ligament, such as an annulotomy site or other defect in the annulus fibrosis, wherein loops of suture are placed through the adjacent walls of the defect forming an “annular net” to prevent recurrent disc herniation. The devices and systems include a first and second suture and first and second suture delivery elements that are operatively associated with the first and second sutures and arranged to pass distal regions of the first and second sutures through an annular fibrosis adjacent the annular defect. The devices and systems also include a suture grasping member that grasps the distal regions of the sutures and retracts to pull the distal regions of the first and second sutures through the annular defect.

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First Claim