Daniel Petcu, biomechanical specialist

I am Dr. Ing. Daniel Petcu, a graduate of the Technical University ‘Gheorghe Asachi’ in Iasi, Faculty of Textiles and Leather, specializing in Footwear.

I defended my doctoral thesis on orthotics for diabetic feet at the ‘Francisc I. Rainer’ Institute of Anthropology of the Romanian Academy.

I have 9 years of clinical experience in biomechanical assessment and foot orthotics. I developed the concept called ‘Informational Modeling of Orthotics’ based on parametric thinking and computational design.

I developed a software solution for designing foot orthoses based on the Grasshopper visual programming language and the Rhinoceros CAD system, as well as an innovative method, unique in Romania, called ‘stiffness gradient’, which allows the hardness of the orthosis to be modified in areas of interest according to the prescription parameters of the orthosis.

For the production of foot orthoses, I use 3D printing with flexible filaments. I used the experience gained in developing the orthosis design solution to create the first Online Configurator developed in Romania for this purpose.

I have a special interest in the development of the field of fully 3D-printed orthopedic footwear. Although this field is currently in the experimental stage worldwide, it represents a continuous source of technical challenges and innovation. I have presented the results of my work in publications and presentations at the most important events for medical devices in Europe: OTWorld-Leipzig, IVO/OST-Koln in Germany, Footwearise-Barcelona in Spain.

At the Superfit Clinic, I perform clinical examinations and baropodometric gait analysis using the BTS P-Walk pressure platform. The data obtained from this assessment, together with the medical prescription, form the basis for the design and 3D printing of foot orthotics. Biomechanical assessment of the foot, together with medical rehabilitation and physiotherapy services, offers a complete treatment solution.

You can find more information about my work at https://pedorthicart.com/despre/.