Patent ID: 8425543

Claim:
A method of removing a nucleus pulposus from an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosus, comprising the steps of: a) cutting a hole in the annulus fibrosus of the disc to provide an access pathway, b) providing an instrument comprising: i) an outer tube having a proximal end, a proximal end opening, a distal end and a lateral distal end opening, ii) an inner tube extending through the distal end of the outer tube, the inner tube having a proximal end opening in communication with an irrigation source and a distal end having a distal end opening, wherein the distal end of the outer tube contacts the inner tube, iii) a rod having a distal end head extending from the distal end opening of the inner tube, and iv) a plurality of flexible protrusions extending from the distal end head, wherein each flexible protrusion has a free distal end, c) inserting the distal end head through the hole and into the nucleus pulposus, d) rotating the distal end head so that the flexible protrusions will cut the nucleus pulposus native material, and e) flowing an irrigation fluid from the irrigation source into the disc to suspend the cut nucleus pulposus material therein.