Chris Jenney Email & Phone Number

Valencia, California

Materials, process, and implantable medical device subject matter expert in an early stage R&D organization.

United States

Prosthetic heart valve startupNeuromodulation device manufacturer

Sylmar, CA

• Responsible for R&D labs with significant characterization capacity (FTIR, DSC, TGA, SEM-EDS, LCM, metallography, microhardness, UV-VIS, and rheometry). Led 9 scientists across three sites to investigate current.
• Expanded the team’s knowledge base to include electronic components/materials and hybrid circuitry.
• Introduced novel material technologies to multiple technical groups to reduce costs and enhance reliability.
• Regularly executed process improvements, including a focused effort on the application of a conductive adhesive which resulted in a cycle time reduction from 7 days to 3 days and a significantly enhanced yield.
• Drove an exhaustive characterization effort of a proprietary silicone-polyurethane elastomer, resulting in four peer-reviewed research papers and multiple whitepapers.
• Key contributor in face-to-face technical meetings with the FDA and other regulatory bodies.

Sylmar, CA

• Leadership responsibility over Quality Assurance, Failure Analysis, and Post-Market Monitoring groups, including 1 director, 5 managers, and 50 engineers/technicians across two sites.
• Became an expert on cardiac device explant analysis and failure modes.
• Frequently visited physician customers and field representatives to address concerns.
• Expanded product performance data analysis capabilities to meet reporting goals.
• Streamlined failure analysis lab processes to reduce analysis backlog.
• Key contributor to multiple FDA and TUV audits and product advisories.

Sylmar

• Leadership role over 2 managers and 25 engineers/technicians designing and supporting the manufacturing of implantable cardiac leads.
• Responsible for the on-time development of the Durata cardiac lead which greatly increased product reliability.
• Made frequent visits to physician customers to collect input on new designs and address product concerns.
• Invited to be an active member of the patent review board.
• Hands-on leader of a newly formed team addressing combination product regulations.
• Developed a product specific abrasion testing fixture and method, which is still in use today.

Sylmar, CA

• Expanded the Materials Research function from a single engineer to four, exploring new materials technologies with a “fast-fail” approach and providing materials expertise throughout the division.
• Proposed, championed, executed, and oversaw the assessment and incorporation of a novel silicone-polyurethane across the entire cardiac lead product line, resulting in greater product reliability.
• As a key member of the new technology prototype group, became an inventor on 5 U.S. patents.
• Successfully completed multiple GLP and non-GLP pre-clinical studies, as the study director.
• Established a strong reputation as a hands-on adhesive, polymer, and metal SME.
• Responsible for the establishment and expansion of the Materials Analytical Lab, including capital equipment

M.S. & Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering - Biomaterials Concentration

B.S., Materials Engineering