An array of skulls that Apollo Beach resident Chris Diener has crafted as reconstructive parts. Lisa Stark photos.

Chris Diener’s display of human skulls may startle some visitors to his home in Apollo Beach, but rest assured: He’s not a follower of the occult. “I’ve always had an interest in the human body,” he explained, an interest that led him into a most interesting profession — the art and science of medical reconstruction.

“We make replacement parts for people who have been injured in accidents or have lost the function of their natural anatomy for one reason or another,” explained Diener. “It’s a very technical, specialized field, but it’s very rewarding.”

Diener began his career in medical reconstruction at age 20, when he went to work for a small machine shop in St. Petersburg. There he met his instructor and mentor, Steve Crow, who taught Diener the technical skills to make replacement parts for the head, legs, arms and chest.

Soon Diener was working for a small medical device manufacturer, specializing in reconstructive products for orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, craniomaxillofacial surgery and operating-room supplies.

Chris Diener with an array of skulls for which he has crafted reconstructive parts.

The company was founded by biomedical engineers whose primary focus was on the engineering and development of products that would solve real clinical issues. Over time, Diener was given the opportunity to work on orthopedic reconstructive products for surgery, such as artificial hips, knees and shoulders, and spinal and dental implants. Working with medical blueprints, CT scans, and Computer Numerical Control, or CNC, a 3D model would be printed to duplicate the patient’s area of concern. Cadavers supplied by the medical community were used for testing screws and metal parts to develop manufacturing techniques.

Diener helped build Sternolocks for the chest, plus titanium knee parts and leg prosthetics. For individuals whose skulls were injured in accidents, Diener built metal head plates, jaw supports, and metal chain meshes to support crushed eye sockets.

“It was fulfilling to know our work was going to help someone who had suffered a trauma,” he said.

As the industry changed and progressed, however, it required advanced education and certification for technicians like Diener to remain in business.

Parts used to secure and help heal a fractured skull, including a metal eye socket mesh.

Working in concert with key orthopedic surgeons throughout the world, the company grew from a small start-up business to a leading orthopedic company possessing one of the broadest product lines in the industry. Some of the manufacture of reconstructive parts began to be shipped overseas to save on cost, placing an economic strain on some American workers.

These industry changes led Diener to seek advanced education and certification to remain competitive in his field. He plans to attend HCC next semester to complete credits to give him his CPT advanced certification as an engineering technician in the field.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” says Diener, who also recently obtained his Coast Guard Captain’s license to pursue another of his passions: fishing. Living on a canal leading out to Tampa Bay, Chris spends much of his “off-time” on the water, boating with friends, cruising around the Bay, or fishing for mackerel, red snapper and grouper.

“With my Captain’s license, I’m able to accommodate up to six paying customers on my vessel,” Diener said. The course required Diener to learn CPR and first aid, and how to operate a boat of up to 100 gross tons.

Asked if he plans to pursue charter fishing as a back-up source of income while attending school, Diener only smiled and said: “Sure, why not?”

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