Diabetic Foot Ulcer: Characterization and Mitigation

This monograph offers an in-depth investigation of Diabetic foot ulceration through the lens of biomechanics and computational modelling. It addresses a critical healthcare challenge faced predominantly by elderly diabetic patients i.e. foot ulcers resulting from peripheral neuropathy, arterial disorders, and irregular plantar loading. Despite extensive clinical attention, the biomechanical mechanisms behind ulcer progression remain inadequately understood, limiting the effectiveness of current prevention and management strategies. This book consolidates advanced research methodologies and experimental approaches to explore the onset and evolution of Diabetic foot ulcers. Key sections of the book focus on the development of computational models for different foot types (normal foot and flatfoot) and further discuss the ulceration progression and recurrence due to repetitive plantar loading. Based on the computational results and ulcer-prone regions, a modular pressure offloading insole was developed and clinically tested for the effectiveness analysis. The outcomes of this monograph are intended to guide clinicians, biomedical engineers, and researchers in developing improved diagnostic tools, orthotic interventions, and patient-specific monitoring techniques. Furthermore, it serves as an important resource for understanding the underlying mechanics of ulcer formation and progression, offering potential translational impact in diabetic foot care and preventative medicine.

Arnab Chanda is an Associate Professor at the Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, and a joint faculty at the Department of Biomedical Engineering, AIIMS, Delhi. He is also the founder of a start-up company BIOFIT Technologies LLC, USA. He earned his PhD from the University of Alabama, USA and worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, USA. Dr. Chanda is an expert in the area of “Biomechanics”, especially in Tissue Mimicking (Artificial Tissues) and Characterization, finite element modeling (FEM), robotics and wearable device development, and entrepreneurship. He has been the recipient of various awards including Young Researcher Award and Early Career Award from ASME, MHRD, and AO Spine International-Singapore, and Top-Cited Paper Awards from IOP Publishing and Wiley. He holds and has filed 10+ US and Indian Patents, authored multiple Books and 100+ articles in reputed international journals. He is also the Coordinator of two successful Executive Programs: “Executive Program in Healthcare Entrepreneurship and Management” and “Executive Program in Robotics”, Online PG Diploma in Healthcare Product Development and Management, and multiple Swayam/NPTEL courses for engineers, doctors, and management professionals. Dr. Chanda currently serves as the Associate Editor for the Journal of Appl. Biomaterials & Func. Materials, Book Series Editor for ‘Biomedical Materials for Multi-functional Applications’, published by Springer Nature, Editorial Board Member for Nature Scientific Reports, and guest editor for several journals.

Gurpreet Singh is currently an Early-Doc Fellow at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, where he completed his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering as a Prime Minister's Research Fellow (PMRF). His interdisciplinary research spans biomimetics, soft tissue mechanics, artificial tissue development, computational biomechanics, and medical intervention design. During his Ph.D., he developed biomechanical models for diabetic foot ulcers and designed a modular insole for pressure offloading. He has also worked on developing artificial tissue surrogates and computational models of brain aneurysms, integrating experimental and simulation approaches. Previously, during his M.Tech., he worked on surface modification of metallic biomaterials using electro-discharge machining to enhance bioactivity. He has contributed to 50+ peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in international journals and conferences. He has also authored some monograph books and co-edited a volume. He has received several recognitions, including the Top Cited Paper Award (IOP Publishing 2023) for his review article on the mechanical properties of soft human tissues, the Research Excellence Travel Award (RETA) from IIT Delhi in 2024, the Dogra Educational Endowment Award (2025), and nomination for the Amit Garg Memorial Research Excellence Award. He is serving as a reviewer for leading international journals.