Abstract: A drug-formulating method, a drug commercial-distribution method, and a drug formulation improve safety of a drug that is at risk for abuse—such as methylphenidate, or amphetamine, or an amphetamine-like central-nervous-system stimulant, and particularly a benzodiazepine. The drug is formulated into a form (not a transdermal patch) that tends to deter conversion to powder; and in this form commercially distributed—preferably enclosed in, or dissolved or dispersed into or onto, a nontoxic carrier such as a capsule, for example a gel, e.g., methylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose, carbomer polymer, or other gelatinous pharmaceutical agent that is FDA-acceptable. The carrier is preferably water-insoluble, to deter dissolving in water for injection, and may be an oil or a solid—for example paper or other thin medium broadly extended in two dimensions, or a sponge or other medium having generally coarse cellular structure.

Abstract: A needle tip protector (10, 10?) including a pair of apertured members (28, 30 or 28?, 30?) with spring arms (22, 24) urging the apertured members (28, 30 or 28?, 30?) out of alignment to create a barrier to a needle tip (16). A needle gripping U-shaped clip (81) may also provide a needle tip protector (80).

Abstract: Simple mechanical methods improve safety of a substance that is at risk for abuse. The substance is made in a specified form that tends to deter conversion to powder: and in this form commercially distributed, e.g. wholesale or retail. Preferably that form is enclosed in a harmless container. Preferably the method also includes putting the substance into or onto a harmless carrier. Preferably the carrier does not dissolve in. It may e oil or solid—for example paper or similarly thin medium, or a sponge or other medium that has generally course cellular structure.

Abstract: A needle tip protector (10, 10?) including a pair of apertured members (28, 30 or 28?, 30?) with spring arms (22, 24) urging the apertured members (28, 30 or 28?, 30?) out of alignment to create a barrier to a needle tip (16). A needle gripping U-shaped clip (81) may also provide a needle tip protector (80).

Abstract: A small protective guard rides on the shaft of a needle. After the needle has been inserted into a patient to deliver or withdraw fluids, the guard is positioned to form a protective barrier crossing in front of the needle tip. The guard is fashioned to collapse inward in front of the tip when its front portion is advanced past the needle tip. The guard carries sharp blades that engage the needle shaft and prevent the guard from moving forward off the needle once the device is activated. An optional manually operated trigger mechanism deploys the guard automatically.

Abstract: A hollow needle projects from the "forward" end of a syringe barrel or an adjacent auxiliary retraction barrel. After use to inject or withdraw liquid from a patient, the needle is released from the end of the barrel and retracted into the barrel. The barrel has an aperture big enough for the needle but too small for fingertips. The needle rides in a carrier block that slides in the barrel. Initially a manually releasable latch secures the block in the barrel against the forward end, with the sharp end of the needle protruding out through the aperture. The latch includes mutually interfering stop elements on the exterior of the block and interior of the barrel. After the injection or withdrawal of liquid, the person using the device withdraws the needle from the patient and manually triggers the latch by manipulating the plunger. A coiled spring drives the block rearward to retract the needle into the barrel. At the rear end of the barrel a stop halts the carrier block and needle to safely confine them.

Abstract: A hollow needle projects from the forward end of a needle holder. The needle has a permanently attached ferrule, which is circumferentially grooved. The holder includes a handle to be grasped by a user, a frontal leaved structure for gripping the needle ferrule at its groove, and a rearward skirt for guarding the rear end of the needle. The rear of the needle is accessible within the skirt for attachment to vacuum vials, or to tubing for conducting liquid from the patient to a remote storage vessel. After use to withdraw liquid from a patient, the needle is released from the handle and retracted. The release and retraction are manually actuated by a simple unitary rectilinear motion. Preferably the mechanism for initiating release and retraction includes a separate safety container that is inserted into the rear skirt of the holder in the same manner as a vacuum vial, but that receives and encloses the entire needle for disposal.

Abstract: A hollow needle projects from the "forward" end of a hollow handle. A syringe communicates with the interior of the needle by way of the hollow handle. After use for passing liquid between the syringe and a patient's body, the needle is released from the handle and its sharp end retracted into the handle, beyond reach. The handle has an aperture big enough for the needle but not for fingertips. The needle rides in a carrier block that slides inside the handle. Initially the block is secured in the handle against the forward end, with the sharp end of the needle protruding out through the aperture. A manually releasable latch holds the block in this position. The latch includes mutually interfering stop elements on the exterior of the block and interior of the handle.

Abstract: A cannula insertion needle projects from the "forward" end of a hollow handle. After use to start a cannula, the needle is released from the end of the handle and its sharp end retracted into the handle, beyond reach. Preferably the handle has an aperture big enough for the needle but too small for fingertips. In one preferred form of the invention, the needle rides in a carrier block that slides inside the handle. Initially the block is secured in the handle against the forward end, with the sharp end of the needle protruding outward through the aperture. A manually releasable latch holds the block in this position. The latch mechanism includes mutually interfering stop elements on the exterior of the block and interior of the handle. After the cannula is in place, the person using the device withdraws the needle from the patient and manually triggers the carrier-block latch by squeezing or rotating one of the stop elements out of engagement with the other.