System and Method for Determining Fluid Parameters

An optical body for measuring one or more parameters of a fluid, the optical body comprising:

• a top surface adapted to receiving a light source;
• a measurement surface extending from the top surface for contacting the fluid to be measured;
• a bottom surface extending from the measurement surface at a predetermined angle, the bottom surface being adapted to receiving a digital image sensor array;
• left and right side surfaces extending between the top, measurement and bottom surfaces;
• and
• a plurality of openings extending through the optical body between the left and right surfaces, the openings being strategically placed to divide the light source into at least a measurement component of light and a reference component of light, with the measurement component of light projecting toward the measurement surface at a predefined angle to be reflected and/or refracted therefrom towards a first sensor area of the optical sensor module, and the reference component of light projecting towards the bottom surface and a second sensor area of the optical sensor module.

A method of determining at least one parameter of a fluid to be measured, the method comprising:

• providing an optical measurement surface for contacting the fluid to be measured;
• directing radiant energy toward the optical measurement surface at a predetermined angle such that at least a portion of the radiant energy is reflected and/or refracted off of the optical measurement surface;
• detecting a two-dimensional image of the reflected and/or refracted radiant energy from the measurement surface with a two-dimensional array of light sensors, each light sensor being capable of detecting a plurality of brightness levels of the reflected and/or refracted radiant energy;
• setting a brightness threshold value for at least some of the light sensors;
• and
• adding the light sensors above and/or below the brightness threshold value to thereby determine the at least one parameter of the fluid.