Patent ID: 7758551

Claim:
A feeding set for use in an enteral feeding pump having a control system for controlling operation of the enteral feeding pump to supply liquid nutrient to a patient through the feeding set loaded in the pump, a source of infrared radiation operatively connected to the control system of the pump for emitting infrared radiation, an infrared radiation detector operatively connected to the control system for detecting infrared radiation and providing an indication that the feeding set is properly loaded on the pump, and a visible light detector for detecting visible light and providing an indication that the feeding set is not properly loaded on the pump, the feeding set comprising: a conduit for carrying the liquid nutrient to a patient; a safety interlock device connected to the conduit and adapted for mounting on the pump in the path of the infrared radiation from the source of infrared radiation, the safety interlock device comprising a propagation affecting member including an outer member formed of a material that transmits infrared radiation and blocks visible light and an inner member defining an inner boundary region that substantially reflects the infrared radiation within the propagation affecting member to change the direction of propagation, wherein upon proper loading of the safety interlock device on the pump the safety interlock device guides infrared radiation to the first detector by internally reflecting the infrared radiation and prevents visible light from reaching the second detector.