The present invention relates to a device and method which may be used to
reinforce the native annulus during spinal surgery. The device is a
catheter based device which is placed into the inter-vertebral space
following discectomy performed by either traditional surgical or
endoscopic approaches. The distal end of the catheter is comprised of an
expansile loop which may be increased in diameter by advancement of a
portion of the catheter via its proximal end, such proximal end remaining
external to the body. The expansile loop may be formed such that when the
loop is diametrically contracted the loop feeds into its other end,
similar to a snake eating its own tail. Stabilization of the outer
portion of the loop and pulling out the inner portion will thereby
increase the overall diameter of the loop while maintaining it as a
closed loop or torus. The expansile loop then uses an attachment means to
secure it to substantially healthy tissues of the annulus, nucleus, or
endplates. The present invention comprises four embodiments and can be
used to 1) facilitate disk fusing, 2) perform an artificial replacement
of the nucleus, 3) perform an artificial replacement of the annulus, or
4, perform an artificial replacement of both the nucleus and annulus.