Inventor (36 patents and copatents)

1 Rudolf Bertagnoli: System for the immobilization of vertebrae. MAN Ceramics November 1996: US 5571109 (196 worldwide citation)

For a rapid and accurate performance of surgery for the immobilization of vertebrae an implantation system is suggested in the case of which the surgical implements such as drills, chisels, bone milling or routing implements, implant guide implements, cooperating with an ancillary device.

2 Frank T Trautwein, Gary L Lowery, Guntmar H Eisen, Rudolf Bertagnoli, Marc R Viscogliosi, David I Biondo: Interspinous vertebral and lumbosacral stabilization devices and methods of use. October 2006: US 20060241601 (171 worldwide citation)

Implantable devices are provided for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae and the lumbosacral region of a patient.

3 Rudolf Bertagnoli: Fixedly adjustable intervertebral prosthesis. MAN Ceramics January 1996: US 5480442 (109 worldwide citation)

An implant for replacing vertebrae has a central load bearing member with a first end and a second end. A first support element is positioned at the first end and a second support element is positioned at the second end. At least one of the first and second support elements has a contact surface.

4 Theirry Marnay, Rudolf Bertagnoli, Frank Magee, Stephan Eckhof, David L Nichols, Christophe Geisert: Instruments and method for inserting an intervertebral implant. January 2005: US 20050021042 (88 worldwide citation)

Instruments and methods for inserting an intervertebral implant. Insertion of the implant is accomplished by grasping the implant between the arms of an insertion instrument having arms which separate from each other and close against each other onto the implant.

5 Rudolf Bertagnoli, Tai Friesem, Jean-Charles LeHuec, Hallett H Mathews, Lukas Eisermann, Mingyan Liu, Loic Josse, Jeffrey Zhang: Instrumentation and methods for preparation of an intervertebral space. May 2005: US 20050113842 (50 worldwide citation)

An instrument for separating adjacent vertebrae includes a handle assembly and a distal portion at a distal end of the handle assembly. The distal portion includes first and second members movable from an unexpanded configuration for insertion in the disc space toward an expanded configuration

6 Theirry Marnay, Rudolf Bertagnoli, Frank Magee, Stephan Eckhof: Intervertebral implant, insertion tool and method of inserting same. June 2004: US 20040117022 (48 worldwide citation)

An intervertebral implant, alone and in combination with an insertion tool for inserting same and a method for inserting same. The implant has upper and lower parts which have limited universal movement relative to each other.

7 Theirry Marnay, Rudolf Bertagnoli, Frank Magee, Stephan Eckhof, David L Nichols, Christophe Geisert: Instruments and method for preparing an intervertebral space for receiving an artificial disc implant. Spine Solutions October 2004: US 20040215198 (46 worldwide citation)

Instruments and methods for preparing an intervertebral space for receiving an implant. An adjustable trial implant has an adjustable stop mechanism having a stop member connected thereto to vary the distance that a body portion of the trial implant can move into the intervertebral space.

8 Daniele A Fabris Monterumici, Rudolf Bertagnoli, Mingyan Liu, Loic Josse: Connectable interbody implant. SDGI Holdings June 2005: US 20050119747 (32 worldwide citation)

An intersomatic implant (1a, 1b) maintains bone graft material in a receiving cavity formed in a disc in order to obtain intervertebral fusion. The implant (1a, 1b) includes of a plurality of parts provided with means for in situ connection of two consecutive parts.

9 Rudolf Bertagnoli, Guntmar H Eisen, Nina Schurrer, Frank T Trautwein, Marc R Viscogliosi: Method and system for performing interspinous space preparation for receiving an implant. October 2007: US 20070233129 (26 worldwide citation)

A method and system are provided for preparing an interspinous space to receive an implantable device. The system may comprise a cutting tool guide having a guiding surface for directing a cutting tool there through and a holder for positioning the cutting tool guide.

10 Theirry Marnay, Rudolf Bertagnoli, Frank Magee, Stephan Eckhof, David L Nichols, Christophe Geisert: Instruments and method for preparing an intervertebral space for receiving an artificial disc implant. Spine Solutions February 2009: US 7491204 (23 worldwide citation)

Instruments and methods for preparing an intervertebral space for receiving an implant. An adjustable trial implant has an adjustable stop mechanism having a stop member connected thereto to vary the distance that a body portion of the trial implant can move into the intervertebral space.


11 Theirry Marnay, Rudolf Bertagnoli, Frank Magee, Stephan Eckhof, David L Nichols, Christophe Geisert: Instruments and method for inserting an intervertebral implant. Spine Solutions September 2010: US 7803162 (23 worldwide citation)

Instruments and methods for inserting an intervertebral implant. Insertion of the implant is accomplished by grasping the implant between the arms of an insertion instrument having arms which separate from each other and close against each other onto the implant

12 Rudolf Bertagnoli: Method of using a vertebral retainer-distracter. August 2006: US 20060195114 (19 worldwide citation)

A method for distracting at least two adjacent vertebrae and/or retaining them in a spaced apart position. Anchor screws are secured to the adjacent vertebrae and tubes of a retainer-distracter instrument frame are slid down over the anchor screws.

13 Rudolf Bertagnoli: Vertebral retainer-distracter and method of using same. January 2005: US 20050021040 (19 worldwide citation)

An instrument for distracting at least two adjacent vertebrae and/or retaining them in a spaced apart position. Anchor screws are secured to the adjacent vertebrae and tubes of a retainer-distracter instrument frame are slid down over the anchor screws.

14 Theirry Marnay, Rudolf Bertagnoli, Frank Magee, Stephan Eckhof: Intervertebral implant, insertion tool and method of inserting same. July 2007: US 20070162134 (19 worldwide citation)

An intervertebral implant, alone and in combination with an insertion tool for inserting same and a method for inserting same. The implant has upper and lower parts which have universal movement relative to each other.

15 Rudolf Bertagnoli, Mingyan Liu, Loic Josse: Methods and instrumentation for positioning implants in spinal disc space in an anterior lateral approach. June 2008: US 20080132902 (16 worldwide citation)

Instruments and methods are provided for positioning one or more implants into a spinal disc space. The instruments and methods have application in an anterior lateral approach to the disc space between the L4 and L5 vertebrae.

16 Theirry MARNAY, Rudolf Bertagnoli, Frank Magee, Stephan Eckhof, David L Nichols, Christophe Geisert: Instruments and method for preparing an intervertebral space for receiving an artificial disc implant. September 2007: US 20070208346 (13 worldwide citation)

Instruments and methods for preparing an intervertebral space for receiving an implant. An adjustable trial implant has an adjustable stop mechanism having a stop member connected thereto to vary the distance that a body portion of the trial implant can move into the intervertebral space.

17 Theirry MARNAY, Rudolf Bertagnoli, Frank Magee, Stephan Eckhof, David L Nichols, Christophe Geisert: Instruments and method for preparing an intervertebral space for receiving an artificial disc implant. September 2007: US 20070208345 (13 worldwide citation)

Instruments and methods for preparing an intervertebral space for receiving an implant. An adjustable trial implant has an adjustable stop mechanism having a stop member connected thereto to vary the distance that a body portion of the trial implant can move into the intervertebral space.

18 Rudolf Bertagnoli, Tai Friesem, Jean-Charles LeHuec, Hallett H Mathews, Lukas Eisermann, Mingyan Liu, Loic Josse, Jeffrey Zhang: Instrumentation and methods for preparation of an intervertebral space. Warsaw Orthopedic June 2009: US 7547308 (10 worldwide citation) An instrument for separating adjacent vertebrae includes a handle assembly and a distal portion at a distal end of the handle assembly. The distal portion includes first and second members movable from an unexpanded configuration for insertion in the disc space toward an expanded configuration.

19 Rudolf Bertagnoli, Mingyan Liu, Loic Josse: Methods and instrumentation for positioning implants in spinal disc space in an anterior lateral approach. October 2004: US 20040199168 (10 worldwide citation)

Instruments and methods are provided for positioning one or more implants into a spinal disc space. The instruments and methods have application in an anterior lateral approach to the disc space between the L4 and L5 vertebrae.

20 Christophe Geisert, Thierry Marnay, Rudolf Bertagnoli, Eduard Kufeld, Barbara Schweizer, Stephan Eckhof: System and method for an intervertebral implant. August 2009: US 20090216330 (7 worldwide citation)

The invention relates to the preparation of an intervertebral space with a trial implant (9), the insertion of an implant (5, 6, 7), the inserters (13, 16), and the method for feeding and inserting the implant (5, 6, 7) by means of an oblique anterior approach.


21 Rudolf Bertagnoli, Mingyan Liu, Loic Josse: Methods and instrumentation for positioning implants in spinal disc space in an anterior lateral approach. Warsaw Orthopedic February 2008: US 7326216 (5 worldwide citation)

Instruments and methods are provided for positioning one or more implants into a spinal disc space. The instruments and methods have application in an anterior lateral approach to the disc space between the L4 and L5 vertebrae. The instruments include a distractor, a housing, a guide member.

22 Rudolf Bertagnoli: Modular Prostheses and Method for the Implantation of Modular Prostheses. Global Medical Consulting October 2010: US 20100256762 (2 worldwide citation)

A method of implanting an intervertebral disk prosthesis, and a modular intervertebral disk prosthesis. The method includes permanently anchoring at least one apposition plate with respective vertebra bodies and detachably connecting an intermediate module with the apposition plate.

23 Rudolf Bertagnoli: Intervertebral Disk Prosthesis. Global Medical Consulting September 2010: US 20100249936 (1 worldwide citation)

A method of limiting the movability of an intervertebral disk prosthesis with regard to pivoting movements, and an intervertebral disk prosthesis. The method includes the step of asymmetrically limiting at least one of a flexion-extension movement, a lateral bending, and a rotation.

24 Rudolf Bertagnoli, Shaun Hanson, Joern Richter, John Furda, Fabian Haller, David Gerber, Roger Berger, Stefanie Kaufmann: Intervertebral implant with keel. August 2010: US 20100217395 (1 worldwide citation)

An intervertebral implant component of an intervertebral implant includes an outer surface for engaging an adjacent vertebra and an inner surface. A keel extends from the outer surface and is designed to be disposed in a slot provided in the adjacent vertebra.

25 Theirry Marnay, Rudolf Bertagnoli, Frank Magee, Stephan Eckhof, David L Nichols, Christophe Geisert: Instruments and method for inserting an intervertebral implant. Spine Solutions January 2013: US 8349017

Instruments and methods for inserting an intervertebral implant. Insertion of the implant is accomplished by grasping the implant between the arms of an insertion instrument having arms which separate from each other and close against each other onto the implant.

26 Theirry Marnay, Rudolf Bertagnoli, Frank Magee, Stephan Eckhof: Intervertebral implant, insertion tool and method of inserting same. Spine Solutions January 2012: US 8105381

An intervertebral implant, alone and in combination with an insertion tool for inserting same and a method for inserting same. The implant has upper and lower parts which have universal movement relative to each other.

27 Daniele A Fabris Monterumici, Rudolf Bertagnoli, Mingyan Liu, Loic Josse: Connectable interbody implant. Warsaw Orthopedic August 2011: US 8002833 An intersomatic implant (1a, 1b) maintains bone graft material in a receiving cavity formed in a disc in order to obtain intervertebral fusion. The implant (1a, 1b) includes of a plurality of parts provided with means for in situ connection of two consecutive parts.

28 Rudolf Bertagnoli: Postoperative Adhesion Prophylactic. April 2010: US 20100089409 A method for postoperative use of an adhesion prophylactic. After an operation that might have to be repeated, a non-reabsorbable membrane, made of material that is compatible with a body, is placed between an operation site and adjacent tissue.

29 Theirry Marnay, Rudolf Bertagnoli, Frank Magee, Stephan Eckhof, David L Nichols, Christophe Geisert: Instruments and Method For Inserting An Intervertebral Implant. December 2010: US 20100331988

Instruments and methods for inserting an intervertebral implant. Insertion of the implant is accomplished by grasping the implant between the arms of an insertion instrument having arms which separate from each other and close against each other onto the implant.

30 Ray Adams, David T Banks, Rudolf Bertagnoli, Joel Helfer, Scott Larsen, Lawton Laurence, Adam Lehman, Jamie Manos, Vincent Mata, Dominique Messerli, Tom Overes, Wamis Singhatat, James Talbot, Ken Underhill, Daniel Vennard: Bi-directional suture passer. Synthes Usa February 2011: US 20110028998

A bi-directional suture passing instrument configured to approach soft tissues perpendicularly, enables safer and more efficient surgical repairs and minimally invasive techniques to be employed, useful in areas such as annulus repair, meniscal repair, shoulder arthroscopy, and hernia repair.


31 Joern Richter, Roger Berger, Rudolf Bertagnoli: Holder for implantation and extraction of prosthesis. Synthes Usa December 2011: US 20110301612

Disclosed is an implant holder for an implant device comprising a locking mechanism that in a first position causes a clamp coupled to an implant device to lock such that the clamp cannot be decoupled from the implant device, and in a second position causes the clamp to unlock the implant device.

32 Rudolf Bertagnoli, Steve Nowak, Daniel K Farley: Retractor System for Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery. August 2011: US 20110201897

A retractor system includes a retractor blade that is securable to a portion of a patient's anatomy during a surgical procedure. The retractor system includes a manipulator that is releasably securable to the retractor blade for positioning and securing the retractor blade.

33 Theirry Marnay, Rudolf Bertagnoli, Frank Magee, Stephan Eckhof: Intervertebral Implant, Insertion Tool and Method of Inserting Same. May 2012: US 20120109316

An intervertebral implant, alone and in combination with an insertion tool for inserting same and a method for inserting same. The implant has upper and lower parts which have universal movement relative to each other.

34 Rudolf Bertagnoli: Movable Intervertebral Disc Prosthesis. April 2010: US 20100094427 A movable intervertebral disc prosthesis having a pivot point and adapted to be implanted between vertebra bodies to form a vertebrae segment. In an implanted state three-dimensional movement axes of the vertebrae segment intersect in the pivot point.

35 Rudolf Bertagnoli, Steve Nowak, Christopher T Martin, Daniel K Farley, Josh Delickta: Hinged Retractor With Sheath. November 2009: US 20090275804

A hinged retractor includes a distal portion adapted to be located inside the body of a patient during a surgical procedure and a proximal portion adapted to be closer to the surgeon during a surgical procedure. The hinged retractor includes a first side including a first blade.

36 Rudolf Bertagnoli: Method for accessing a spinal facet joint. November 2009: US 20090287262

A minimally invasive method for accessing a facet joint of the spine is provided. Embodiments of the method include creating a small incision directly over the facet joint and to allow direct access and visualization of the joint.

Please note that as with all inventors Prof. Dr. Bertagnoli and his copatentees may receive royalties on these inventions for an undetermined length of time. The patent system in Europe and the United States has been around for several hundred years and has been used as a method of advancing science and industry.