Spinal fusion devices and systems
AssigneeRaed M. Ali, M.D., Inc.
InventorRaed Ali
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims4
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.