Spinal fusion devices, systems and methods

Abstract

According to some embodiments, a method of accessing an intervertebral space of a patient's spine in a minimally invasive manner compromises creating a passage from a posterior end of a pedicle of a vertebral member using a probe, advancing the probe through the pedicle and to a main body portion of the vertebral member, advancing the probe through a superior endplate of the vertebral member and into the intervertebral space and enlarging the passage using at least one tap to create an enlarged passage from a posterior of the pedicle to the intervertebral space. In some embodiments, the enlarged passage traverses at least three cortical layers of the vertebral member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of fusing a first vertebra to a second vertebra, said second vertebra being immediately adjacent and above the first vertebra, the method comprising:
 creating a passage from a posterior end of a pedicle of the first vertebra through a superior endplate of the first vertebra, such that the passage extends into an intervertebral space located generally between the first and second vertebrae;   advancing a first bone screw through the passage, such that a distal end of the first bone screw extends at least partially into the intervertebral space;   inserting a second bone screw through the second vertebra; and   attaching the first bone screw to the second bone screw.