Joint venture to reduce pain for burns kids
27th November 2006
For immediate release
Better treatment outcomes for children with serious burns are set to be delivered by a new product developed in Queensland.
New company Diversionary Therapy Technologies Pty Ltd (DTT) was established this month as a joint venture between the Australasian Cooperative Research Centre for Interaction Design (ACID) and local investors to commercialise a new diversionary therapy device that significantly reduces pain scores during wound-dressing changes, which can be a lengthy and excruciating procedure for patients and their carers.
DTT Managing Director Rob Sale said the devices offer extremely exciting technical advances to deliver additional forms of pain management for burns patients.
"The diversionary therapy devices combine augmented reality technology and computer vision tracking to immerse the child in an engaging quest through stories and adventures." Mr Sale said. "Clinical trials show significant reductions in pain scores reported by the children, as well as significant reduction in pain as perceived by parents."
The diversionary therapy device was developed by ACID in conjunction with the Stuart Pegg Paediatric Burns Centre at the Royal Children's Hospital Brisbane. The quality of the collaboration between ACID and the hospital was recognised with an honourable mention at the 2006 Business/Higher Education Round Table awards.
ACID CEO Professor Jeff Jones said the hospital was seeking an easy-to-use, portable and robust device that would offer an alternative to existing diversionary tactics such as music therapy, occupational therapy or watching videos. "ACID and the hospital will both remain involved in development and testing of the devices, and we're also really pleased to have successfully shifted the core business into a spin-off company," he said.
"Diversionary Therapy Technologies Pty Ltd is an example of Queensland research and development making a tangible difference on the world stage. It will significantly improve treatment for burns kids worldwide," Mr Sale said.
The Queensland Government provided financial support for the development of the early prototypes of the devices used in first-round clinical testing, as well as funding for ACID's operations. State Development Minister John Mickel said the new company demonstrated the Smart State in action.
"The project has been innovative and results-focussed since the very first stages; it has brought together unlikely partners in a new Queensland company to deliver world-first technology and measurable improvements how children experience burns treatment. The Queensland Government believes the technology has great potential for expansion into diversionary therapy in other areas of medicine such as oncology, radiology and emergency medicine." Mr Mickel said.
For more information:
Jason Pickersgill, ACID. T: 07 3337 7929 or 0432 163 886. E: jason@acid.net.au
