Patent ID: 8790375

Claim:
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; removing native tissue located within the intervertebral space by advancing a tissue removal tool through the passage and selectively moving said tissue removal tool within the intervertebral space; delivering at least one of an implant and a grafting material through the passage, wherein said at least one of the implant and the grafting material is configured to promote fusion between the superior endplate of the first vertebra and an inferior endplate of the second vertebra; and 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, wherein the distal end of the first bone screw terminates within the intervertebral space; wherein the first bone screw comprises threads along its length, wherein at least some of the threads of the first bone screw, once the first bone screw has been fully advanced through the passage, engage a cortex of the posterior end of the pedicle, a cortex of a shaft of the pedicle and a cortex of the superior endplate of the first vertebra.