Nucleus augmentation delivery device and technique

1. A method of delivering a nucleus pulposus replacement material comprising:

inserting a cannulated delivery tube through an opening in an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, the cannulated delivery tube including an inflatable balloon;

positioning the inflatable balloon within the opening in the annulus fibrosus;

expanding the inflatable balloon into contact with the annulus fibrosus about the opening to create a seal between the balloon and the annulus fibrosus;

delivering through the tube and the sealed opening in the annulus fibrosus an amount of a nucleus pulposus replacement material directly into the annulus fibrosus and not into an implant placed in the annulus fibrosus, the nucleus pulposus replacement material contacting an inner wall of the annulus fibrosis;

removing the tube; and

closing the opening in the annulus fibrosus.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inflatable balloon is positioned extra-annularly.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inflatable balloon is positioned intra-annularly.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inflatable balloon is positioned inter-annularly.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cannulated delivery tube further comprises a check valve to prevent backflow of the nucleus pulposus replacement material.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nucleus pulposus replacement material comprises at least one of polyethylenes, silicones, polyurethanes, metallics, ceramics, collagen, and hydrogels.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nucleus pulposus replacement material is injected into the annulus fibrosus through the tube.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nucleus pulposus replacement material is packed into the annulus fibrosus through the tube.

9. A method of delivering a nucleus pulposus replacement material comprising:

inserting a cannulated delivery tube through an opening in an annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc, the cannulated delivery tube including an expandable portion;

expanding the expandable portion of the tube against the annulus fibrosus about the opening to create a seal between the expanded portion of the tube and the annulus fibrosus and thereby seal the opening in the annulus fibrosus; and

delivering through the tube and the sealed opening in the annulus fibrosus an amount of nucleus pulposus replacement material directly into the annulus fibrosis and not into an implant in the disc, the nucleus pulposus replacement material contacting an inner wall of the annulus fibrosis.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the expandable portion comprises an expandable elastomeric gasket.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the expandable portion comprises an inflatable balloon.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the cannulated delivery tube further comprises a check valve to prevent backflow of the nucleus pulposus replacement material.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the nucleus pulposus replacement material comprises at least one of polyethylenes, silicones, polyurethanes, metallics, ceramics, collagen, and hydrogels.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the nucleus pulposus replacement material is injected into the annulus fibrosus through the tube.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the nucleus pulposus replacement material is packed into the annulus fibrosus through the tube.

16. A method of delivering a nucleus pulposus replacement material comprising:

inserting a cannulated delivery tube through an opening in an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, the cannulated delivery tube including an expandable portion;

positioning the expandable portion within the opening in the annulus fibrosus;

expanding the expandable portion into contact with the annulus fibrosus about the opening to create a seal between the expandable portion and the annulus fibrosus;

delivering through the tube and the sealed opening in the annulus fibrosus an amount of a nucleus pulposus replacement material directly into the annulus fibrosus and not into an implant placed in the annulus fibrosus, the nucleus pulposus replacement material contacting an inner wall of the annulus fibrosis;

removing the tube; and

closing the opening in the annulus fibrosus.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the expandable portion is positioned extra-annularly.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the expandable portion is positioned intra-annularly.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the expandable portion is positioned inter-annularly.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the expandable portion tube further comprises a check valve to prevent backflow of the nucleus pulposus replacement material.

21. The method of claim 16 , wherein the expandable portion comprises an expandable elastomeric gasket.

22. The method of claim 16 , wherein the nucleus pulposus replacement material comprises at least one of polyethylenes, silicones, polyurethanes, metallics, ceramics, collagen, and hydrogels.

23. The method of claim 16 , wherein the nucleus pulposus replacement material is injected into the annulus fibrosus through the tube.

24. The method of claim 16 , wherein the nucleus pulposus replacement material is packed into the annulus fibrosus through the tube.

25. A method of performing a procedure on an intervertebral disc comprising:

inserting a cannulated delivery tube through an opening in an annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc, the cannulated delivery tube including an expandable portion;

positioning the expandable portion within the opening in the annulus fibrosus;

expanding the expandable portion into contact with the annulus fibrosus about the opening to create a seal between the expandable portion and the annulus fibrosus;

performing a procedure through the cannulated delivery tube within the annulus fibrosis;

removing the tube; and

closing the opening in the annulus fibrosus.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein performing the procedure includes delivering through the tube and the sealed opening in the annulus fibrosus an amount of a nucleus pulposus replacement material directly into the annulus fibrosus.

27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the nucleus pulposus replacement material is injected into the annulus fibrosus through the tube.

28. The method of claim 26 , wherein the nucleus pulposus replacement material is packed into the annulus fibrosus through the tube.

29. The method of claim 25 , wherein the expandable portion comprises an expandable elastomeric gasket.

30. The method of claim 25 , wherein the expandable portion comprises an inflatable balloon.