Disc and vertebral defect packing tape

1. A method for disc regeneration comprising:

cleaning a disc space to create an empty space, wherein cleaning the disc space further comprises the step of:

removing a minimal amount of disc material such that healthy disc material remains intact;

packing the empty space in the disc with a disc or vertebral defect packing tape, the tape comprising:

one tape body; and

one or more support members for holding the tape body together, wherein the one or more support members are:

(A) contained within the tape body as an internal support member, wherein the tape body is wider than the internal support member; and/or

(B) substantially enveloping an external surface of the tape body as an external support member, wherein the external support member comprises a fine mesh of biocompatible material, wherein the tape body is configured as a packing material for packing an empty intervertebral disc space, and wherein the tape body is selected from a group consisting of a biologically absorbable material, stem cells, finely ground materials, or a combination thereof; and

closing an opening in an annulus of the disc.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the tape is impregnated with stem cells or other materials capable of facilitating disk regeneration.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the internal and external support members comprise a biocompatible material and/or a biologically absorbable material.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the internal support member comprises a plurality of beaded elements.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the beaded elements comprise titanium beads.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the beads are interconnected with titanium fiber.