A method of supporting a defect in the tissue of a living being includes the steps of:a) providing a delivery instrument that includes an elongated instrument, at least one barrier element, and a plurality of connecting membersb) inserting the elongated instrument into the tissue at or near the defectc) deploying the barrier element from the delivery instrument into tissue at or near the defect, the barrier element having at least one connecting member attached theretod) extending at least one passage means from the delivery instrumente) engaging at least a portion of the at least one connecting member with the at least one passage means, whereby the at least one passage means causes the at least one connecting member to pass through the tissue, andf) withdrawing the elongated instrument from the tissue, thereby deploying and securing the barrier element to support the tissue.
