Spinal tissue distraction devices

A method of treating an intervertebral disc, comprising:

• inserting a distal end portion of a delivery cannula into an intervertebral disc space;
• advancing a generally elongated implant in a first generally linear configuration through the delivery cannula and into the intervertebral disc space, the elongated implant having a longitudinally extending backbone and a first plurality of slots spaced along one side of the backbone and a second plurality of slots spaced along a second side of the backbone opposite the first side, wherein the slots extend through upper and lower surfaces of the elongated implant;
• and
• forming the elongated implant in the intervertebral disc space into a second configuration with a guide member as the elongated implant is delivered into the intervertebral disc space, when in the second configuration, the elongated implant curves relative to the longitudinal axis to extend 360 degrees to define a support structure having an inner side and an outer side, wherein the first plurality of slots are located along the inner side of the support structure and the second plurality of slots are located along the outer side;
• and
• removing the guide member from the intervertebral disc space after the elongated implant is formed into the second configuration.

A system for treating a vertebral disc, comprising:

• a delivery cannula having a distal end portion for insertion into an intervertebral disc space;
• a generally elongated implant having a longitudinally extending backbone and a first plurality of slots spaced along one side of the backbone and a second plurality of slots spaced along a second side of the backbone opposite the first side, wherein slots extend through upper and lower surfaces of the elongated implant;
• the elongated implant being configurable into a first generally linear configuration for advancement through the delivery cannula and into the intervertebral disc space, the elongated implant being configurable into a second curved configuration in-situ as the elongated implant is delivered into the intervertebral disc space;
• a guide member configured to guide the elongated implant into the second configuration, the guide member being removable from the intervertebral disc space after the elongated implant is formed into the second configuration;
• and
• when in the second configuration, the first side of the implant is generally inwardly facing and the second side of the implant is generally outwardly facing.