Medical Extrusion Consultant -
Peter Turk

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Medical Extursion Expert Peter Turk

Peter has over 28 years in the medical device market. His expertise includes Manufacturing Engineering support, Research and development into new and/or improved polymer processing, manufacturing and extrusion production methods, Management of projects related to the development of medical devices and accessories - along with Setup and validation of extrusion and clean room activities. Peter is a Certified Lean Sigma Green Belt.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
 
July 2019 - Present
Stryker Neurovascular, Principal Extrusion Engineer
Salt Lake City, Utah   

• Support transfer of extrusion manufacturing operations to SLC site from California
• Development of Extrusion program including cost improvement and process improvement programs
• Validation of new products
• Supported the development of an internal R&D program.
• Support organizational/department operations such as NC/CAPAs, pFMEA development, and other miscellaneous production documentation creation and updates

 
August 2017 – April 2019
Medron/Flexan, Manager Extrusion, Technical Services
Salt Lake City, Utah

• Managed extrusion operation for Flexan
• Worked with customers and sales on the development of extruded products
• Developed processes for extrusion of TPU, TPE, PEBA and polyolefin materials and blends
• Set up and validated 1-inch extrusion line for single and multi-layer extrusions
• Set up and validated 2½ extrusion line for PVC extrusion
• Executed all equipment installations, IQ and OQ’s and all supporting manufacturing documentation such as Manufacturing Instructions, Inspection documents and FMEAs
• Development of braiding program
• Trained technicians on extrusion processing and inspection techniques
• Managed department Safety Program

 
May 2015 – June 2017
Merit Medical, Senior Engineer
Houston, Texas 

• Supported extrusion, material compounding and braiding operations
• Implemented improvements to extrusion processes and test methods                         
• Development and implementation of tooling control system
• Managed NCMR and CAPA program for extrusion department

 
2007 – May 2015
Medtronic Cardiovascular, Principal Extrusion Engineer
Santa Rosa, California          

• Support the Extrusion Manufacturing Operations for Medtronic’s Cardiovascular Division
• Implemented process improvements that resulted in savings in excess of $1million annually
• Supported Lean Sigma program developing and validating new balloon tubing extrusions
• Implemented Lean programs to improve productivity of extrusion operations
• Certified Lean Sigma Green Belt. Managed and supported DMAIC projects related to processes
• Worked with customers on the development and validation of catheter tubing
• Development of documents, standards and procedures for product manufacturing and test methods
• Development and implementation of extrusion tooling control system
• Extrusion system development and implementation
• Support on the investigation and closure of NCMR’s and CAPA’s
• Investigations into product performance related issues through use of various polymer analysis techniques
• Managed Environmental, Health and Safety Programs in Extrusion Manufacturing Department

 
2002 - 2007
Terumo Medical Corporation, Senior Mfg. Development EngineerElkton, MD   

• Set up extrusion and materials compounding program to manufacture reinforced (braided) tubing for introducers and guiding sheaths
• Developed, managed and implemented program for continuous improvement of existing processes
• Development of test methods and protocols for the evaluation of catheter prototype performance
• Development of new materials and processes for dilators and guiding sheath catheters
• Investigations into product performance related issues through use of various polymer analysis techniques
• Development and validation of processes for manufacturing catheters
• Managed OEM program for the development of catheter sub-assembly for in-house product final assembly Developed all support documentation including specifications and validations
• Development of Design Control Protocol/Procedure that defined activities necessary to bring product from concept to final approval.  Development of Hazards Analysis procedure

2000 - 2001
Novoste Corporation, Senior Manufacturing Engineer
Norcross, Georgia                      

• Set up and commissioned new clean room at manufacturing site outside of Glasgow, Scotland
• Supported development of next generation brachytherapy catheter products
• Developed and validated new manufacturing processes for catheter assembly
• Revalidation of sterilization process.
  
  

1993 - 2000
Boston Scientific/EP Technologies
San Jose, California                                            
Manager, Cables, Sheaths and Accessories                                                  1998-2000

• Managed program and cross functional Team from initial product justification to final approval for the design and manufacturing of Introducing Sheaths to support EP catheter delivery
• Managed cable accessory program. Developed an offshore program with a contract manufacturer that resulted in an annual savings of over $1 million, or 30% cost savings·Managed program for Pericardioscentesis Kit. Resulted in 20% savings through the use of new vendors and the design and development of in-house capability to manufacture drainage catheters 

Extrusion and Process Manager                                                                       1993-1998

• Set up extrusion department and developed extrusion capabilities
• Managed Extrusion Department supporting production and research and development programs
• Validated OEM vendors to support supply of accessories (cable assemblies and introducing sheaths)
• Supported design and development of next generation electrophysiology catheters

·Set up and validated extrusion and braiding operations at EPT

• Developed new braided tubing for electrophysiology catheters
• Member of Polymer Processing and Science Council
• Development of resin lot specifications based on polymer analysis techniques such as rheological characterization

EDUCATION

• California State University, Chico, Bachelor of Sciences, Industrial Technology

SPECIAL COURSES

• Lean Sigma Green Belt
• Advanced Extrusion
• Rheology
• SolidWorks Basics
• Radiation Dosimetry
• Management Communications
• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Certification
• Dale Carnegie Presentation Skill
• Insight Out Medical Devices Training
• MERT and CERT Training

AFFLIATIONS

• Society of Plastics Engineers, Past President, Baltimore-Washington Section
• Society of Plastics Engineers, Past Vice-President, Golden Gate Section
• Past Member, Manufacturing Technical Advisory Board, California State University, Chico
• Past President and Board Member support to non-profit organization (Windsor Arts Council)

 
PATENTS, PUBLICATIONS & AWARDS

• Two patents awarded related to Rapid Exchange catheter design
• Two patents awarded related to Towed Array Sonar Sensor design
• Two papers published at SPE ANTECs related to polymer rheology
• 2010 and 2013 Star of Excellence Awards for cost savings programs at Medtronic
• Nominated to Stryker STAR reward as part of Production Transfer Team