Patent ID: 7724371

Claim:
A device for optically examining a fluid, comprising: a measuring space having a compulsory passage for a fluid that is to be examined; at least one source configured to deliver a selected light; optical illuminating means supplied with light by the source and to illuminate the compulsory passage with the light according to selected geometric characteristics; optical collecting means to collect at least some of the light that has passed through the compulsory passage and to deliver collected light to a selected location; and analyzing means supplied with the light collected by the optical collecting means and to analyze the collected light so as to deliver signals representing data which the collected light carries, wherein the optical illuminating means comprises first light guiding means having one end opposite the source and configured to deliver the light derived from the source in accordance with a selected geometry so that the light illuminates the compulsory passage in a substantially uniform manner and at a substantially constant intensity, and wherein the first light guiding means include an optical fiber, wherein the configured end of the optical fiber comprises a core micro-machined in a selected shape along a selected length so as to allow total internal reflection of the light and preserve a region in which the light has a homogeneous field to deliver a light beam with a cross-section having the selected geometry, and wherein the selected geometry is substantially rectangular in shape.