Lulu S. Follmer
Phoenix
Summary
Accomplished Senior R&D Technician with extensive expertise in medical device sector, specializing in prototype assembly and product testing.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior R&D Technician
Remedy Medical
Phoenix
02.2025 - Current
- Assemble prototypes to meet customer specifications.
- Conduct product testing in accordance with established protocols.
- Support Quality team in incoming inspection of parts for customer builds.
R&D/ QA Specialist
Route 92 Medical
San Mateo
01.2017 - 01.2022
- Executed product testing per established protocols to ensure quality standards.
- Collaborated with engineering to develop new inspection criteria before product release.
- Supported R&D Engineering with in-vivo testing to validate product performance.
- Assisted Quality department in inspecting and testing raw materials and finished products.
- Acquired necessary equipment, tools, and supplies for R&D laboratory operations.
- Assigned equipment numbers and coordinated calibration schedules for compliance.
- Conducted testing for Design Verification, Product Process Qualification, and Aging Validation Process.
Senior QA Lead Technician
DFine Inc. (Merit Medical)
San Jose
01.2010 - 01.2016
- Oversaw daily priority schedule for QA Techs, ensuring sterilization before product release to Finished Goods.
- Assigned equipment numbers and maintained calibration standards for all machinery.
- Developed inspection criteria for product quality prior to production transition.
- Coordinated design verification, process qualification, and aging validation with engineering teams.
- Managed QAD inventory effectively during regulatory audits.
- Trained new personnel on procedures for failure analysis of returned products.
- Completed Supervisor Training from National Seminars Training to strengthen leadership skills.
- Supervised product testing and validation during transition period at Merit Medical in Galway, Ireland.
Professional Education Coordinator
Kyphon Inc. (Medtronic)
Sunnyvale
01.2001 - 01.2005
- Ordered necessary materials, supplies and specimens for Physician and Sales Training.
- Managed daily cadaver lab activities, which included testing, providing test materials and ordering cadavers, prep and consumable supplies.
- Traveled to various US Training sites and participated in the training of Physicians.
- Negotiated and established good relationships with suppliers to ensure the product is ordered and shipped in a timely manner.
Sr. Research and Development Technician
Kyphon Inc. (Medtronic)
Sunnyvale
01.1998 - 01.2001
- Created manufacturing process instructions and essential documentation for training and knowledge transfer.
- Developed test methods and supporting documentation for comprehensive device testing.
- Maintained accurate lab notebook to enhance intellectual property position through thorough record-keeping of assignments, results, materials, parts, concept designs, and processes.
Sr. Research and Development Technician
EndoTex Interventional Systems, Inc.
Menlo Park
01.1997 - 01.1998
- Assisted engineers in stent development for aortic aneurysm treatment.
- Optimized process parameters for heat treatment, chemical etching, and polishing of Nitinol.
- Developed various suture patterns to attach grafts to stents.
- Constructed stent delivery systems for clinical evaluations.
Research and Development Technician
Perclose Inc. (Abbott Labs)
Menlo Park
01.1994 - 01.1997
- Assisted with the development of the first products of the company, ProStar 9 and 11 French, percutaneous closure devices.
- Wrote and documented test protocols and test reports, built and tested devices for Product Design Verification.
- Assisted with the validation of the new pouch sealer, evaluated seal strength, collected and calculated statistical test data.
- Evaluated seal strength of new pouch sealer, collecting and analyzing statistical data.
Quality Technician/ Inspector
Perclose Inc. (Abbott Labs)
Menlo Park
01.1993 - 01.1994
- Conducted all incoming and assembly inspections, including FAI on ProStar and TechStar products.
- Trained newly hired QA technicians and inspectors for quality assurance processes.
- Assisted engineers in testing and documented design qualification testing results.
- Facilitated accelerated aging process for all devices to ensure reliability.
Education
Associate Degree - Computer Technology
Rizal Technological College
PhilippinesSkills
- Prototype assembly and product testing
- Quality assurance and calibration
- Test protocol development
- Laboratory techniques
- Calibration management
- Inventory management
- Technical documentation
- Problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Materials sampling
- Manufacturing processes
Accomplishments
- U.S. Patent 7,261,720 Inflatable device for use in surgical protocol relating to fixation of bone.
- U.S. Patent 6,726,691 Methods for treating fractured and/or diseased bone.
- Developed an effective training kit for Professional Education Department.
- Completed Supervisor Training from National Seminars Training.
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Senior R&D Technician
Remedy Medical
02.2025 - Current
R&D/ QA Specialist
Route 92 Medical
01.2017 - 01.2022
Senior QA Lead Technician
DFine Inc. (Merit Medical)
01.2010 - 01.2016
Professional Education Coordinator
Kyphon Inc. (Medtronic)
01.2001 - 01.2005
Sr. Research and Development Technician
Kyphon Inc. (Medtronic)
01.1998 - 01.2001
Sr. Research and Development Technician
EndoTex Interventional Systems, Inc.
01.1997 - 01.1998
Research and Development Technician
Perclose Inc. (Abbott Labs)
01.1994 - 01.1997
Quality Technician/ Inspector
Perclose Inc. (Abbott Labs)
01.1993 - 01.1994
Associate Degree - Computer Technology
Rizal Technological College