A conversion device for converting the sequence of medicine dosages

Abstract

A conversion device for converting an array of drug doses is provided, the conversion device comprising a body extending along a major axis between a top surface at an upper part of the body and a bottom surface at a lower part of the body, the top surface having a group of inlet openings arranged in an inlet matrix at the top surface in a plane perpendicular to the major axis, each inlet opening arranged to receive an array of drug doses, the body comprising a bundle of channels for passing each drug dose, each channel extending along the body from an inlet opening of the group of inlet openings to an outlet opening of a group of outlet openings arranged in an outlet matrix in a plane at the bottom surface perpendicular to the major axis of the body, at least one channel of the bundle of channels having a component perpendicular to the major axis of the body extending along the body and configured to convert the array of drug doses from a first spatial arrangement corresponding to the inlet matrix to a second spatial arrangement corresponding to the outlet matrix.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conversion device for converting an array of medicine doses, a packaging device and a medicine dose inspection device. [Background technology]

[0002] In facilities where large volumes of medications are distributed (such as pharmacies, hospitals, and nursing homes), medication doses must be sorted and audited to ensure that patients receive the correct dose of the correct medication at the correct time. To reduce errors in the distribution of medication doses, machines have been developed to automate this process. Examples of such machines include packaging machines and medication dose audit machines.

[0003] The packaging device packages medication into individual doses to assist patients in taking the correct dose at the appropriate time. For example, the packaging device can distribute medication into multiple recesses in a blister tray or into a series of multiple pouches. The blister tray can have multiple recesses arranged in an array, each corresponding to a specific day of the week and time of day that indicates when medication should be taken. For example, in a first direction of the array, seven recesses represent the days of the week from Monday to Sunday. In a second direction of the array, four recesses represent the time periods "morning," "afternoon," "evening," and "night." Thus, a 4x7 array may be configured, consisting of 28 recesses. The patient can take the medication in the recess that corresponds to the prescribed day and time.

[0004] A medication dose auditing device is used to audit large doses of medication, i.e., when multiple medications are taken at once. For example, a dispenser dispenses the required number of doses onto a table and arranges them in a grid pattern. The medication doses are then checked to ensure that the correct number and type of medications are actually provided as a single dose in each grid location on the table. This can be done by a person, a computer, or a person using a computer. It is especially important, when using a computer with vision technology, to provide sufficient space on the table, as overlapping medication doses can cause problems with the accuracy of medication recognition and / or counting.

[0005] Commonly used packaging and dosage verification devices offer limited flexibility when delivering medications in arrays, whether in blister trays, pouches, or arrays on a verification table. For example, packaging devices are configured to fill a specific array of wells, such as a 4x7 array, with the wells spaced at a fixed diameter relative to each other. As a result, if a different array size is required, or if the dimensions of the blister tray or series of pouches differ from the original design, new or adapted machines are required. This results in limited flexibility when prescribing medications to patients and verifying medication doses, and purchasing new machines is often economically prohibitive. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention therefore provides a conversion device, particularly a conversion device as defined in claim 1. The conversion device comprises a body extending along a major axis between an upper surface located at the top of the body and a lower surface located at the bottom of the body. The upper surface has a group of inlet openings arranged in an inlet matrix in a plane perpendicular to the major axis at the top surface. Each of the inlet openings is arranged to receive an array of drug doses, and the body comprises a bundle of channels for passing each drug dose. Each channel extends along the body from an inlet opening of the group of inlet openings to an outlet opening of an outlet opening arranged in an outlet matrix in a plane at the bottom surface perpendicular to the major axis of the body. At least one of the plurality of channels extends along the body with a component perpendicular to the major axis of the body and is configured to convert the array of drug doses from a first spatial arrangement corresponding to the inlet matrix to a second spatial arrangement corresponding to the outlet matrix.

[0007] The conversion device can change the spacing of the doses in an array, e.g., by increasing or decreasing the spacing. That is, the conversion device provides the ability to convert an array with machine-specified spacing into an array with reduced or increased spacing. This allows for spacing different from the standard spacing used by the machine and can be accommodated without the need for manual conversion of the dose array. Reducing or eliminating the need for manual conversion reduces labor requirements, increases conversion speed, and reduces the risk of array errors. Furthermore, the conversion device can provide additional drug locations within an array when, for example, there is not enough space in the array provided by the medication dispensing device or the device is unable to dispense in the desired array shape.

[0008] Furthermore, for example, wider spacing can be used for optimal optical recognition at a medication audit table to reduce the risk of overlapping medications within an audited dose. The conversion device can also be used to convert from wider spacing to narrower spacing within a tray or blister, allowing for multiple doses of medication to be placed one on top of the other. Multiple doses can be combinations, groups of medications, or individual medications. When medications are placed in a tray or blister, their location within the tray can indicate when they should be taken. This can be implemented as a grid, with one direction representing the days of the week and the second direction representing the time of day, for example. If a patient or group of patients does not need medication at a particular time and day, the corresponding location within the tray or blister can be left empty.

[0009] In practice, the dosages may be packaged in blister trays or pouches, for example, by thermoforming an array of cups or blisters from a flat sheet of thermoplastic material onto a flat carrier, then sealing the cover with a cover that indicates the days of the week along the columns and the times of administration along the rows. The multiple recesses, each filled with a dosage, may be separable, for example, by a score line. Alternatively, reusable individual cups may be used that are removably attached to a carrier frame. For patient safety, the contents of the dosages may be verified, recorded, and sealed to ensure that the patient receives the right dose at the right time.

[0010] The channels in a bundle may be spaced apart as they extend from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, such that the pitch, spacing and / or dimensions of the outlet openings in the plane of the outlet matrix are greater than the spacing and / or dimensions of the inlet openings in the plane of the inlet matrix.

[0011] The channels of the bundle may be arranged to converge toward one another as they extend from the inlet openings to the outlet openings. The convergence may be such that the pitch and / or dimensions of the outlet openings in the plane of the outlet matrix are smaller than the pitch and / or dimensions of the inlet openings in the plane of the inlet matrix. The convergence may be in one direction, e.g., along the X axis, and away from one another in another direction, e.g., along the Y axis. Alternatively, the convergence and divergence may be implemented along both the X and Y axes. As yet another alternative, the first stage may be arranged to converge toward one another in one direction and the second stage to diverge from one another in the same direction, or vice versa.

[0012] At least one channel may extend along a major axis of the body without having a component perpendicular to the major axis of the body, for example extending through the centre of the body or along an edge of the body.

[0013] The channel is defined by one or more peripheral walls. The peripheral walls surround the channel. The peripheral walls may be thin relative to the dimensions of the channel opening. Having relatively thin walls allows for a relatively large channel compared to the drug. As a result, the likelihood of blockage due to drug getting stuck in the channel may be reduced. The channels in the body may share walls, which further increase the size of the channel and further reduce the likelihood of blockage. Additionally or alternatively, the walls may form rectangular-shaped channels, which further increase the size of the channel and further reduce the likelihood of blockage. Providing relatively smooth walls that are linear or straight in the axial direction of the channel may further reduce the likelihood of blockage.

[0014] The channels may be defined by peripheral walls, with adjacent channel walls spaced apart from one another, and the walls may be formed from a transparent material to allow visual inspection of the channels, for example, to confirm the presence of a drug.

[0015] The inlet openings of the inlet matrix and / or the outlet openings of the outlet matrix may be arranged at a constant interval (pitch) in at least a first direction in the plane of the matrix. The pitch may be constant, providing a grid of equally spaced positions. Additionally or alternatively, the inlet and / or outlet openings may be arranged at a pitch in a second direction in the plane of the matrix. The second direction may be orthogonal to the first direction. This pitch may also be constant, providing a grid of equally spaced positions. The pitch in the first direction and the pitch in the second direction may be the same or different. Furthermore, the pitch of the inlet matrix may be the same or different from the pitch of the outlet openings in the first and / or second directions. Various pitch configurations may allow for different geometric dimensions of the matrix adapter, making it applicable to a wide variety of machines.

[0016] The channels, inlet openings, and / or outlet openings may be provided with or configured to engage with hatches that are movable between a first state that blocks the drug opening or channel and a second state that opens the drug opening or channel. The hatches may be provided within the inlet openings and / or outlet openings or channels. The hatches may be or have, for example, bottom-opening structures, trap doors, or sliding plates. Additionally or alternatively, the hatches may be arranged to individually open or block corresponding channels, or to open or block multiple channels. For example, by locating such hatches near the openings, the drug can be prevented from falling into the wrong channel. When the hatches are located within the channels or near the outlet openings, the hatches can be used to collect the drug in the channel for, for example, auditing, and can be opened to release the drug.

[0017] The body comprises two sets of parallel, flat strips arranged perpendicular to each other, defining openings and channels between them. This allows for relatively thin walls relative to the size of the openings, making nearly the entire area perpendicular to the body available for drug passage. The strips may be secured to each other via slidably insertable slots. The strips may be cut from sheet material, such as cardboard, steel, or plastic, to form rigid or flexible strips. Alternatively, the body may be formed as a single piece, e.g., by drilling, molding, die-casting, or milling openings into a block, or by 3D printing. As a further alternative, the passageway may be formed by arranging and bundling tubes, each tube forming a channel.

[0018] At least one channel may extend along a major axis of the body without a component perpendicular to the major axis of the body, such as extending through the center of the body or along an edge of the body.

[0019] The transducer device may have multiple steps along its major axis. Multiple steps can simplify the spatial arrangement of the transducer device. For example, a first step may include one or more channels extending in a first transverse direction and having a component perpendicular to the major axis, and a second step may include one or more channels extending in a second transverse direction and having a component perpendicular to the major axis, the second transverse direction being perpendicular to the first transverse direction.

[0020] The present invention further provides a packaging device comprising a frame having a top surface configured to receive a first carrier and a bottom surface configured to receive a second carrier, the first carrier having a matrix of recesses each for receiving a dose, the matrix having a first spatial arrangement, the second carrier having a matrix of recesses each for receiving a dose, the matrix having a second spatial arrangement, and the conversion device of any one of claims 1 to 8 is incorporated into the frame, the group of openings in the top surface being arranged to respectively engage with the plurality of recesses of the first carrier and the group of openings in the bottom surface being arranged to correspond to the plurality of recesses of the second carrier, configured to convert the arrangement of the doses of the first carrier from the first spatial arrangement to the second spatial arrangement. The first carrier may include a hatch, e.g., a bottom-opening structure aligned with the recess of the first carrier, which is movable between a first state and a second state via a lever provided on the frame. When the hatch is in the second open state, the drug drops from the recess of the first carrier through the inlet opening of the conversion device, via a channel through the outlet opening, into the corresponding recess of the second carrier. The second carrier is slidably positioned within the frame so that its opening corresponds to the outlet opening of the conversion device. Preferably, the conversion device is configured to have only a single mounting orientation in which the spatial location of the inlet opening corresponds to the spatial location of the cavity of the first carrier, and the spatial location of the outlet opening corresponds to the spatial location of the cavity of the second carrier.

[0021] The present invention also provides a dose inspection device. The device comprises an inspection plane having an inspection matrix of a plurality of substantially planar inspection locations at which doses can be placed for inspection, and the conversion device described above. The conversion device is configured such that the pitch, spacing, and / or dimensions of the outlet openings in the plane of the outlet matrix are smaller than the pitch, spacing, and / or dimensions of the entrance openings in the plane of the entrance matrix. Each of the inspection locations is arranged to correspond to an entrance opening in the entrance matrix. The inspection locations further include hatches movable between a first state that covers the corresponding entrance opening and a second state that opens the corresponding entrance opening to allow the passage of the doses. The dose inspection device further comprises an inspected dose carrier having a matrix of recesses for receiving the doses to be inspected. The spatial arrangement of the array of doses in the inspection matrix is ​​relatively large or expanded compared to the spatial arrangement of the array of doses delivered from the machine, allowing multiple doses to be placed next to each other without overlapping. The medication dose may be audited using indicator lights and / or a camera, for example, to determine whether the correct type of medication and the correct dosage have been delivered. The audit surface of the medication dose audit device may be provided with a surface that has good contrast and / or reflectivity to the camera's illumination. Additionally, an imaging system connected to a computer running audit software may be used, for example.

[0022] The present invention further provides a method for transforming an array of drugs, the method comprising the step of using the transformation device described above to pass each drug of the array of drug doses through one channel of the bundle of channels having the major axis, at least one channel of the bundle of channels having a component of motion perpendicular to the major axis, such that the drug doses are transformed from the first spatial arrangement corresponding to the inlet matrix of the inlet openings of the channels to the second spatial arrangement corresponding to the outlet matrix of the openings of the channels.

[0023] A dose of drug passes through a first stage of the bundle of channels in only a first transverse direction with a component of motion perpendicular to the major axis, and passes through a second stage of the bundle of channels in only a second transverse direction perpendicular to the first transverse direction with a component of motion perpendicular to the major axis.

[0024] Other advantages of the invention are set forth in the description and the appended claims.

[0025] The technical features described in each paragraph may be extracted independently from the context in which they are described, and technical features extracted from different paragraphs may be combined, and such combinations are specifically disclosed herein.

[0026] The invention will be further explained on the basis of exemplary embodiments represented in the drawings, each of which is given as a non-limiting illustration of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing an example of a conversion device for converting an array of medication dosages. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a conversion device for converting the array of dose medications shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional isometric view of a conversion device for converting an array of drug doses along line AA in FIG. 1 . [Figure 4A] Schematic isometric view of a medicine packaging machine. [Figure 4B] 4B is a cross-sectional view of the medicine packaging device taken along line BB in FIG. 4A. [Figure 5A] Isometric view of a medicine dosage checking device. [Figure 5B] Isometric view of a medicine dosage checking device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an isometric bottom view of another example of a conversion device for converting an array of drug dosages.

[0028] It should be noted that these drawings are only schematic representations given by way of limiting example, in which identical or corresponding parts are designated with identical reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] 1, 2, and 3, a converter 1 for converting an array of drug doses is shown. The converter 1 is formed by a body 2 extending along a major axis A1 between an upper surface 3 located at an upper portion 4 of the body 2 and a lower surface 5 located at a lower portion 6 of the body 2. The upper surface 3 has a group of inlet openings 7 arranged in an inlet matrix 8 in a plane perpendicular to the major axis A1 at the top surface. Each of the inlet openings 7 is arranged to receive one of the array of drug doses. The body 2 includes a bundle of channels 9 through which the drug doses pass. Each of the channels 9 extends along the body 2 from one of the inlet openings 7 to one of the outlet openings 10 arranged in an outlet matrix 11 in a plane at the bottom surface 5 transverse to the major axis A1 of the body 2. At least one of the plurality of channels 9 extends along the body 2 with a component perpendicular to the major axis A1 of the body 2 and is configured to transform the arrangement of the drug doses from a first spatial arrangement corresponding to the inlet matrix 8 to a second spatial arrangement corresponding to the outlet matrix 11.

[0030] As an example to further clarify the workings of conversion device 1, 35 doses (not shown), consisting of a single or multiple drug types, possibly with different ingredients, are arranged in a 5×7 array corresponding to entrance openings 7 and arranged as an array of doses on top surface 3 by a machine (not shown). As the 5×7 array passes through entrance opening 7, each dose in the array corresponds to a channel 9. In the example shown for the device in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the shape of channel 9 causes the doses to initially move in a first direction as they pass through the first half of channel 9. When the doses reach the second half of channel 9, the shape of channel 9 causes them to move in a second direction perpendicular to their initial direction of travel. As a result, as the doses exit channel 9 through exit opening 10, they are positioned at a relative displacement from their initial position within the plane of the array. In this manner, the distance between the doses in the array can be manipulated without manual manipulation and with reduced potential for error.

[0031] The bundle of channels 9 extends from the inlet opening 7 to the outlet opening 10 while being spaced apart relative to one another. In the illustrated example, a central channel of the plurality of channels 9 extends along the major axis A1 of the body 2 without including any component perpendicular to the major axis A1 of the body 2.

[0032] The plurality of inlet openings 7 of the inlet matrix 8 and the plurality of outlet openings 10 of the outlet matrix 11 are arranged with a pitch P in at least a first direction in the plane of the inlet matrix 8 and the outlet matrix 11 .

[0033] The converter 1 has a number of stages 15 along its major axis A1. Each stage has two sets of parallel flat bands 14 arranged orthogonally to each other. These flat bands 24 form four peripheral walls 12 and define the channels 9. In the example shown in Figure 3, there are two stages 15, each with 24 flat bands 14. The upper stage 15 is arranged to move the doses along a first direction, and the lower stage 15 is arranged to move the doses along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0034] 4A and 4B show a packaging device 21. The packaging device 21 comprises a frame 22 having a top surface 25 configured to receive a first carrier 23. The first carrier has a matrix 24 of recesses, which have a first spatial arrangement. The packaging device 21 also has a bottom surface 26 configured to receive a second carrier 27. The second carrier 27 has a matrix 24 of recesses for respectively receiving a dose of medication. The matrix 24 of recesses of the second carrier 27 has a second spatial arrangement.

[0035] Furthermore, the conversion device 1 configured as described above is incorporated into a frame 2, and the openings 7 in its top surface 3 are arranged to engage with the recesses 24 of the first carrier 23. The openings 10 in its bottom surface 5 are arranged to correspond to the recesses 24 of the second carrier 27, and are configured to convert the arrangement of the drug doses in the first carrier 23 from a first spatial arrangement to a second spatial arrangement. The second spatial arrangement corresponds to the arrangement of the plurality of recesses 24 on the second carrier 27. The number of recesses 24 provided in the first carrier 23 and the number of recesses 24 provided in the second carrier 27 do not necessarily have to match.

[0036] Furthermore, the inlet openings 7 of the conversion device 1 engage with hatches 13 provided in the first carrier 23 in the example shown. The hatches 13 are transitionable between a first state in which they block the openings 7 of the corresponding channels 9, and a second state in which they open the openings through which the medicines pass through the channels 9. In the example shown, all hatches 13 can be operated simultaneously using a lever 27 provided on the frame 22 of the packaging device 21.

[0037] 5A and 5B show a dose inspection device 31. The dose inspection device 31 comprises an inspection plane 32 having an inspection matrix of a plurality of substantially planar inspection positions 33 at which doses can be placed for inspection. The dose inspection device 31 further comprises the conversion device 1 described above, in which the pitch P of the outlet openings 10 in the plane of the outlet matrix 11 is smaller than the pitch P of the entrance openings 7 in the plane of the entrance matrix 8. Each inspection position 33 is arranged to correspond to an entrance opening 7 of the entrance matrix 8. The inspection positions further comprise hatches 13 movable between a first state in which the corresponding entrance opening 7 is blocked and a second state in which the corresponding entrance opening 7 is opened to allow the passage of the dose. The dose inspection device 31 further comprises an inspected dose carrier 34 having a matrix 24 of recesses for receiving the doses to be inspected. A camera 35 is positioned above the inspection plane 32, and inspections are performed by an operator who can view an image from the camera displayed on a display 36. After the dose has been audited, the operator can transfer the dose into the audited dose carrier 34 by operating a lever 27 to open a hatch 13 provided at the audit position 33 .

[0038] FIG. 6 is an isometric bottom view of another example of a conversion device 1 for converting an array of drug doses. In the example of FIG. 1, the bundled channels 9 move away from each other as they extend from the inlet openings 7 to the outlet openings 10, whereas the channels 9 are arranged closer to each other as they extend from the inlet openings 7 to the outlet openings 10. This closer arrangement allows the pitch and / or dimensions of the outlet openings 10 in the plane of the outlet matrix 11 to be smaller than the pitch and / or dimensions of the inlet openings 7 in the plane of the inlet matrix 8. In the example shown, the channels are closer to each other in both the X-axis and the Y-axis, which are parallel to the inlet matrix 8 and the outlet matrix 11, respectively. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the closer arrangement may occur in only one direction, e.g., along the X-axis, and the channels may be spaced apart in another direction, e.g., along the Y-axis. Alternatively, it is possible to provide a pattern in which the channels are spaced apart in one direction in a first row 15 and spaced apart in the same direction in a second row 15, or vice versa.

[0039] Many variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, those skilled in the art will recognize that different configurations of steps 15 can be used, including using only one step or more than two steps. Furthermore, while the illustrated embodiment shows a specific arrangement of recesses, it will be apparent that any number and arrangement is possible. Furthermore, it will be apparent that the lever for opening and closing the hatch can be a physical lever or any other type of opening and closing device, such as a button or a computer program, that activates a mechanism for opening and closing the hatch. It is understood that such variations are within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A conversion device for converting an array of drug dosages, the conversion device comprising: a body; the body extends along a major axis between a top surface at an upper portion of the body and a bottom surface at a lower portion of the body; the upper surface has a group of inlet openings arranged in an inlet matrix at a position on the upper surface in a plane perpendicular to the major axis; each of said entrance openings being positioned to receive a single dose of said array of doses; the body having a bundle of channels permeable to the dose of drug; each of the channels extends along the body from an inlet opening of the group of inlet openings to an outlet opening of a group of outlet openings arranged in an outlet matrix in a plane at a bottom surface of the body perpendicular to the major axis; a conversion device, wherein at least one channel of the bundle of channels has a component perpendicular to the major axis of the body and extends along the body, and is configured to convert the array of drug doses from a first spatial arrangement corresponding to the inlet matrix to a second spatial arrangement corresponding to the outlet matrix.

2. The conversion device of claim 1 , wherein the bundle of channels extends from the inlet opening toward the outlet opening and the channels are arranged such that they move away from one another.

3. 3. The conversion device of claim 1, wherein the bundle of channels extends from the inlet opening towards the outlet opening and is arranged such that the channels converge towards each other.

4. 4. A conversion device according to claim 1, wherein at least one channel of the bundle of channels extends along the main axis of the body without having a component perpendicular to the main axis of the body.

5. 5. The conversion device of claim 1, wherein the channel is defined by one or more peripheral walls.

6. 6. The conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the inlet openings of the inlet matrix and / or the outlet openings of the outlet matrix are arranged with a predetermined pitch in at least a first direction in the plane of the matrix.

7. 7. The conversion device of claim 1, wherein the channel, the inlet opening and / or the outlet opening is provided with or engages a hatch that is movable between a first state that blocks the opening or channel to the drug and a second state that opens the opening or channel to the drug.

8. 8. The conversion device of claim 1, wherein the body is formed of two sets of parallel flat bands arranged perpendicular to each other, with the openings and channels defined therebetween.

9. 9. The conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion device has a plurality of steps along its major axis.

10. a frame having a top surface configured to receive the first carrier; a bottom surface configured to receive a second carrier, the first carrier has a matrix of recesses each containing a dose of drug, the matrix having a first spatial arrangement; the second carrier has a matrix of recesses for receiving respective doses of the drug, the matrix having a second spatial arrangement; The conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is incorporated into the frame, the openings in the top surface are positioned to respectively engage with the recesses in the first carrier; the group of openings in the bottom surface are arranged to correspond to the plurality of recesses in the second carrier; A packaging device configured to convert an arrangement of the dosages in the first carrier from the first spatial configuration to the second spatial configuration.

11. an audit plane having an audit matrix of a plurality of substantially planar audit locations at which drug doses can be placed for auditing; A drug dosage inspection device comprising the conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the conversion device is configured such that the pitch, spacing and / or dimensions of the outlet openings in the plane of the outlet matrix are smaller than the pitch, spacing and / or dimensions of the inlet openings in the plane of the inlet matrix; each of the inspection locations is positioned to correspond to an inlet opening of the inlet matrix; the inspection station further includes a hatch movable between a first condition blocking the corresponding entrance opening and a second condition opening the corresponding entrance opening to allow a dose of medication to pass through; The dosage medication auditing device further comprises an audited dosage carrier having a matrix of recesses for receiving audited dosages of medication.

12. Using the conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, 1. A method of transforming an array of drugs, comprising passing each drug dose through one channel of said bundle of channels having a major axis, at least one channel of the bundle of channels has a component of motion in a direction perpendicular to the major axis; The method further comprises a step of transforming the dose of drug from the first spatial arrangement corresponding to the inlet matrix of the inlet openings of the channels to the second spatial arrangement corresponding to the outlet matrix of the openings of the channels.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the dose of drug passes through a first stage of the bundle of channels in only a first transverse direction with a component of motion perpendicular to the major axis, and passes through a second stage of the bundle of channels in only a second transverse direction perpendicular to the first transverse direction with a component of motion perpendicular to the major axis.

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