Methods and systems for repairing an intervertebral disc using a transcorporal approach

A method for accessing and repairing an intervertebral disc in the spine comprising:

• engaging a trajectory control apparatus to a surface of a host vertebral body;
• forming a transcorporal channel within a host vertebral body, the channel extending from a surface of the host vertebral body on a trajectory toward an intervertebral disc between the host vertebral body and an adjacent vertebral body, and extending at least as far as the end plate of the host vertebral body;
• implanting a spinal repair device configured to fit into the channel and extending into the intervertebral space, the implanted spinal repair device comprising an internal lumen and a back flow control element located in the lumen;
• evacuating substantially all gas from the intravertebral space;
• and
• injecting a disc replacement material through the implanted spinal repair device and directly into a void within a space formerly occupied by at least a portion of the intervertebral disc and allowing gas from within the intervertebral space to escape through the spinal repair device during the injecting step, such that the void is substantially entirely filled with disc replacement material.