Patent ID: 8142404

Claim:
A controller for operating a pumping apparatus to supply fluid to a patient through a pump set having a safety interlock loaded in the pumping apparatus, the controller comprising a first source of electromagnetic radiation operatively connected to the pumping apparatus for emitting electromagnetic radiation, a first electromagnetic radiation detector operatively connected to the pumping apparatus, a second source of electromagnetic radiation operatively connected to the pumping apparatus for emitting electromagnetic radiation, a second electromagnetic radiation detector operatively connected to the pumping apparatus, and a processor programmed to: instruct the first source of electromagnetic radiation to emit electromagnetic radiation in a direction for striking the safety interlock of the pump set; activate the first electromagnetic radiation detector to detect the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the first source of electromagnetic radiation; instruct the second source of electromagnetic radiation to emit electromagnetic radiation in a direction for striking the safety interlock of the pump set; activate the second electromagnetic radiation detector to detect the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the second source of electromagnetic radiation; and control the pumping apparatus to operate for pumping fluid in the pump set only when electromagnetic radiation emitted from the first source is detected by the first detector and when the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the second source is not detected by the second detector.