Method of making an intervertebral disc prosthesis

A method for repairing a damaged or diseased intervertebral disc, the method comprising the steps of:

• using minimally invasive techniques to remove damaged or diseased nucleus from the disc;
• providing a mold apparatus comprising a balloon adapted to contain a biomaterial and a delivery cannula adapted to flowably connect a biomaterial source to the balloon;
• positioning the balloon in the intervertebral disc space using minimally invasive techniques;
• providing a biomaterial source comprising a flowable biomaterial;
• mixing the flowable biomaterial;
• purging a portion of the flowable biomaterial prior to delivery to the intervertebral disc space;
• delivering the flowable biomaterial into the balloon using minimally invasive techniques to provide a distraction pressure to the intervertebral disc space;
• allowing the delivered biomaterial to cure a sufficient amount to permit the cannula to be removed and to provide a permanent replacement for the nucleus.

A method for repairing a damaged or diseased intervertebral disc, the method comprising the steps of:

• using minimally invasive techniques to remove damaged or diseased nucleus from the disc;
• providing a mold apparatus comprising a balloon adapted to contain a biomaterial and a delivery cannula adapted to flowably connect a biomaterial source to the balloon;
• positioning the balloon in the intervertebral disc space using minimally invasive techniques;
• providing a biomaterial source comprising a flowable biomaterial;
• mixing the flowable biomaterial;
• withdrawing air from the balloon located in the intervertebral disc space;
• delivering the flowable biomaterial into the balloon using minimally invasive techniques to provide a distraction pressure to the intervertebral disc space;
• and
• allowing the delivered biomaterial to cure a sufficient amount to permit the cannula to be removed and to provide a permanent replacement for the nucleus.

A method for repairing a damaged or diseased intervertebral disc, the method comprising the steps of:

• using minimally invasive techniques to remove damaged or diseased nucleus from the disc;
• providing a mold apparatus comprising a balloon adapted to contain a biomaterial and a delivery cannula adapted to flowably connect a biomaterial source to the balloon;
• positioning the balloon in the intervertebral disc space using minimally invasive techniques;
• providing a biomaterial source comprising a flowable biomaterial;
• mixing the flowable biomaterial;
• delivering the flowable biomaterial into the balloon using minimally invasive techniques to provide a distraction pressure to the intervertebral disc space;
• and
• allowing the delivered biomaterial to cure a sufficient amount to permit the cannula to be removed and to provide a permanent replacement for the nucleus, wherein the cured biomaterial provides a heterogeneous implant having a plurality of regions with a more rigid outer region and a more flexible inner region.

A method for repairing a damaged or diseased intervertebral disc, the method comprising the steps of:

• using minimally invasive techniques to remove damaged or diseased nucleus from the disc;
• providing a mold apparatus comprising a balloon adapted to contain a biomaterial and a delivery cannula adapted to flowably connect a biomaterial source to the balloon;
• positioning the balloon in the intervertebral disc space using minimally invasive techniques;
• providing a biomaterial source comprising a flowable biomaterial;
• mixing the flowable biomaterial;
• purging a portion of the biomaterial prior to delivery to the balloon;
• delivering the flowable biomaterial into the balloon using minimally invasive techniques;
• and
• allowing the delivered biomaterial to cure a sufficient amount to permit the cannula to be removed and to provide a permanent replacement for the nucleus.

A method for repairing a damaged or diseased intervertebral disc, the method comprising the steps of:

• using minimally invasive techniques to remove damaged or diseased nucleus from the disc;
• providing a mold apparatus comprising a balloon adapted to contain a biomaterial and a delivery cannula adapted to flowably connect a biomaterial source to the balloon;
• positioning the balloon in the intervertebral disc space using minimally invasive techniques;
• providing a biomaterial source comprising a flowable biomaterial;
• mixing the flowable biomaterial;
• delivering the flowable biomaterial into the balloon located in the intervertebral disc space while applying a vacuum to the balloon using minimally invasive techniques;
• terminating the flow of biomaterial in response to an endpoint monitor adapted to provide an indication of an endpoint for biomaterial delivery;
• and
• allowing the delivered biomaterial to cure a sufficient amount to permit the cannula to be removed and to provide a permanent replacement for the nucleus.

A method for repairing or resurfacing the site of an injured or diseased articulating joint, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a curable biomaterial;
• and
• performing the surgical steps of;
• (a) accessing and preparing the joint site for receipt of the biomaterial;
• (b) purging a portion of the biomaterial prior to delivery into the prepared joint site;
• (c) delivering a quantity of the curable biomaterial to the prepared joint site;
• (d) curing the delivered biomaterial in such a manner that the cured biomaterial is permanently retained in apposition to the prepared site;
• and contouring the retained biomaterial to achieve a desired conformation approximating that of the natural joint, wherein steps (a) through (d) comprise an intervertebral disc replacement using minimally invasive surgical means.