US Patent 8114160 Implant retention device and method

An implant retention device is provided to assist in restraining movement of a nuclear implant and to assist in preventing expulsion of the nuclear implant through an incision portal or defect in the annular wall. In one form, the implant retention device comprises an expulsion prevention member associated with the nuclear implant and is configured to transition between an unexpanded position and an expanded position. In another form, a method for restraining a nuclear implant includes cutting an opening in the annulus, shifting an implant retention device into an unexpanded position, inserting the implant retention device through the opening, and shifting the retention device to an expanded position.