Multi-membrane prosthetic nucleus and implants using same are disclosed having an outermost membrane that is semi-compliant and limits the innermost membrane and any intermediate membranes that are highly compliant from bulging out of any opening in the annulus fibrosus. Once filled with the fluid, the connectors joining the sterile units may be sealed and severed to produce a number of separate sterile units. The material is irradiated with the light beam in the presence of a reactive gas, the light beam having a wavelength in an infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum wherein the irradiated selected region of the solid is heated and reacts with the reactive gas to remove atoms or molecules of the material from the irradiated region.