Patent ID: 8197545

Claim:
A method for repair of an intervertebral disc defect, the intervertebral disc comprising a nucleus pulposus and an annulus fibrosus, the method comprising the steps of: a) inserting a cannulated delivery tube through an opening in the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc; b) engaging a portion of the tube with the annulus fibrosus about the opening; c) expanding the portion of the tube against the annulus fibrosus to create a seal between the expanded portion of the tube and the annulus fibrosus and thereby seal the opening in the annulus fibrosus, the portion of the tube comprising an inflatable balloon that is expanded into contact with the annulus fibrosus to create a seal between the balloon and the annulus fibrosus; d) injecting through the tube and the sealed opening in the annulus fibrosus, a known amount of volumetric material to determine the volume of the intervertebral defect to be repaired; e) removing the volumetric material; f) injecting an amount of a flowable prosthetic repair material through the tube and the sealed opening directly into the annulus fibrosus and not into an implant placed in the disc, the amount of prosthetic material based on the amount of volumetric material injected, the prosthetic repair material contacting an inner wall of the annulus fibrosis; g) removing the tube; and h) closing the opening in the annulus fibrosus.