A system for repairing an intervertebral disc by delivering and curing a biomaterial
in situ within the disc. The system includes both a device, having an insertable
balloon and related lumen, controls and adapters, as well as an in situ curable
biomaterial (and related biomaterial delivery means). The system can allow the
doctor to determine a suitable endpoint for biomaterial delivery, by controlling
distraction and/or biomaterial delivery pressure, and in turn, to deliver a desired
quantity of biomaterial to the balloon in order to achieve improved polymer cure
and implant characteristics. Also provided is a related method for repairing an
intervertebral disc by using such a system to deliver and cure the biomaterial
in situ. The system can be used to implant a prosthetic total disc, or a prosthetic
disc nucleus in a manner that leaves the surrounding disc tissue substantially intact.