Patent ID: 7722579

Claim:
A vented needle assembly for use in sealably injecting a biomaterial into an intradiscal space through an access opening in the annulus of a spinal disc and for providing an exhaust for the intradiscal space, comprising: a compressible seal body formed of a deformable elastomeric material and having a contact surface configured to contact an outer surface of the annulus with a compressible sealing face at said contact surface of said seal body sized to surround the access opening in the annulus, said sealing face of said seal body configured to compressively deform against and in conformity with the outer surface of the annulus upon placement of said contact surface of said seal body under pressure against the outer surface of the annulus of the spinal disc; a needle extending through said seal body, said needle having a distal end projecting from said contact surface of said seal body and having an opening thereat for passage of the biomaterial therefrom into the intradiscal space, said needle having a proximal end projecting from an opposite surface opposite said contact surface of said seal body and configured for receipt of the biomaterial; and a vent tube extending through said seal body, said vent tube having a first opening extending distally beyond said contact surface of said seal body for communication with the intradiscal space and a second opening adjacent said opposite surface of said seal body for the discharge of excess biomaterial filling the intradiscal space.