Devices for disc herniation repair and methods of use

A method for treating a defect in a vertebral disc having an annulus fibrosus containing nucleus pulposus, wherein the defect is in the annulus fibrosus, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a device comprising a tubular body having a wall, pores located in the wall, first and second openings, and a lumen extending between the first and second openings;
• inserting the device into the defect in the annulus fibrosus so that nucleus pulposus tissue intentionally migrates from the vertebral disc through at least one of the first opening, the second opening, and the pores into the lumen of the tubular body and out of the other of the first or second opening;
• and
• wherein the tubular body does not fill the defect such that nucleus pulposus flows into and out of the vertebral disc through space between the tubular body and the annulus fibrosus.

A method for treating a defect in a vertebral disc having an annulus fibrosus containing nucleus pulposus, wherein the defect is in the annulus fibrosus, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a device comprising a tubular body having a wall, pores located in the wall, first and second openings, and a lumen extending between the first and second openings;
• and
• inserting the device into the defect in the annulus fibrosus so that nucleus pulposus tissue intentionally migrates from the vertebral disc through at least one of the first opening, the second opening, and the pores into the lumen of the tubular body and out of the other of the first or second opening;
• and
• wherein the tubular body has external threads.

A method for treating a defect in a vertebral disc having an annulus fibrosus containing nucleus pulposus, wherein the defect is in the annulus fibrosus, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a device comprising a tubular body having a wall, pores located in the wall, first and second openings, and a lumen extending between the first and second openings;
• inserting the device into the defect in the annulus fibrosus so that nucleus pulposus tissue intentionally migrates from the vertebral disc through at least one of the first opening, the second opening, and the pores into the lumen of the tubular body and out of the other of the first or second opening;
• and wherein:
• the defect in the annulus fibrosus has a sidewall;
• and
• the wall of the tubular body is positioned against the wall of the defect such that one of the openings is oriented into the vertebral disc and the other opening is oriented outwardly from the vertebral disc.