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.