To develop Percuguard, Dr. Sorrels enlisted the help of Dr. John M. Powers, director of the Houston Biomaterials Research Center at the Dental Branch. As a result of the testing process, Dr. Powers has actually created a new standard for puncture resistance. Among the 8 million healthcare workers in the United States, up to 800,000 needlestick accidents are reported every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that healthcare employers adopt strategic methods to protect their workers from puncture injuries, and to test various products for efficiency. Percuguard is personal protective equipment - a new class of products designed to prevent percutaneous injuries.
Most current devices involve the syringe itself, with needles that automatically retract after use.
However, since Percuguard protects the exposed finger, it can be used either alone or in conjunction with a mechanically engineered syringe for maximum protection.