INTERVERTEBRAL DISC REINFORCEMENT SYSTEMS

1 . An implant system for reinforcing an intervertebral disc comprising:

a blocking member coupled to a first endplate anchor,

wherein the first endplate anchor comprises a keel portion having a sharpened leading edge and a neck having a sharpened leading edge,

wherein the blocking member is coupled to an attachment site of the neck of the first endplate anchor;

an opposing endplate reinforcement member configured to prevent damage to the endplate by the blocking member;

wherein the endplate reinforcement member comprises a generally flat planar member; and

a second endplate anchor coupled to said reinforcement member configured to secure said reinforcement member to an opposing endplate,

wherein said second endplate anchor comprises a generally planar keel having a sharpened leading edge configured to be driven into an external lateral surface of a vertebral body adjacent a surface of the opposing endplate, and

wherein said planar keel is aligned substantially parallel with said endplate reinforcement member.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said blocking member comprises a flexible barrier.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said blocking member comprises an impermeable barrier.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said blocking member comprises a mesh barrier.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said endplate reinforcement member further comprises a neck portion connecting said generally flat planar member of the endplate reinforcement member and said planar keel of the second endplate anchor.

6 . An implant system for reinforcing an intervertebral disc comprising:

a flexible blocking member coupled to a first endplate anchor;

an opposing endplate reinforcement member configured to prevent damage to the endplate by the flexible blocking member; and

a second endplate anchor coupled to said reinforcement member configured to secure said reinforcement member to an opposing endplate.

7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein said second endplate anchor comprises one of a barb, nail, staple, screw or adhesive.

8 . The system of claim 6 , wherein said second endplate anchor comprises a generally planar keel having a sharpened leading edge configured to be driven into an external lateral surface of a vertebral body adjacent a surface of the opposing endplate, and wherein said planar keel is coupled to a neck of the endplate reinforcement member such that the planer keel is mounted substantially perpendicular to the neck.

9 . The system of claim 6 , wherein said blocking member comprises a flexible barrier.

10 . The system of claim 6 , wherein said blocking member comprises an impermeable barrier.

11 . The system of claim 6 , wherein said blocking member comprises a mesh barrier.

12 . A method for reinforcing an intervertebral disc comprising:

identifying a herniated segment of an anulus of an intervertebral disc;

wherein the herniated segment comprises anulus tissue that protrudes beyond a natural, pre-herniated border of the intervertebral disc;

delivering a support member through a portion of the anulus of the intervertebral disc, wherein the support member comprises a plate or bar shaped device;

securely establishing a bone anchor to a vertebral body adjacent said intervertebral disc;

connecting the support member and the bone anchor with a connection member;

tightening the connection member, thereby causing at least a part of the herniated segment to return to a position substantially within said pre-herniated border by pulling the support member towards the bone anchor.