Spinal disc annulus reconstruction method and spinal disc annulus stent

1. A method for primarily treating an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc having an aperture in the annulus fibrosus, wherein the aperture provides a pathway for the migration of intradiscal material from the subannular space, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a scaffold device having a dimension at least as large as an aperture dimension;

inserting the device through the aperture into the subannular space; and

causing or allowing the device to orient in the subannular space whereby said dimension at least partially spans said aperture dimension, wherein said device has a portion that is provided primarily for treating said aperture and serves as a scaffold for cells across the aperture to enhance natural healing.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the device is comprised at least in part of a shape memory material.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is comprised at least in part of biocompatible fabric.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is at least in part bioabsorbable.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of treating the annulus tissue surrounding the aperture to reduce the relative motion thereof.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of reapproximating the aperture.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the device further comprises at least one element for reapproximating the aperture.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises at least one fixation element for attaching the device to the annulus.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is pathologic.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is formed at least in part by a surgical incision.

11. A method for treating an intervertebral disc having an aperture in the annulus fibrosus, wherein the method of claim 1 is performed following discectomy.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying sutures to acutely stabilize said device.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein said device is comprised at least in part from autograft.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein said autograft is muscle fascia.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein said device is comprised at least in part from allograft.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein said device is comprised at least in part from a biocompatible membrane.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein said biocompatible membrane is a medical grade biocompatible fabric.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein said biocompatible membrane is a medical grade polymeric sheet.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein said scaffold device is applied at least in part in said aperture.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein said scaffold device comprises a filler.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein said filler is at least in part form-fitting.

22. The method of claim 20 , wherein said filler is at least in part non-form-fitting.

23. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of placing sutures at about equal distances along the sides of the aperture.

24. The method of claim 1 , wherein said device is comprised at least in part from xenograft.

25. The method of claim 1 , further including the step of providing a device comprised at least in part from a material for facilitating regeneration of disc tissues.

26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the material for facilitating regeneration includes at least in part a growth factor.

27. The method of claim 25 , wherein the material for facilitating regeneration is at least in part bioactive.

28. The method of claim 27 , wherein the material for facilitating regeneration is a silica-based material.

29. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device serves as a barrier restricting the migration of intradiscal material through the aperture.