Associate Professor Sam Bucolo with a young burns patient using Ditto.

Cunningly disguised as a toy, a new medical device that harnesses the power of distraction can greatly reduce the pain felt by young burns victims.

Designed for medical device company Diversionary Therapy Technologies by Sam Bucolo, who is a Queensland University of Technology industrial design Associate Professor, Ditto is a virtual reality-inspired diversionary therapy aid. Professor Bucolo said that the trademarked Ditto device is able to distract a child’s attention to help them through the painful process of having burns dressings changed, which a patient may endure several times before recovery. [continue reading…]