Image capture device and methods
A novel image capture device, system and method are disclosed for use in capturing dental images. A novel collimator tube includes one or more devices integrated within its wall, such as a radio frequency transmitter, a camera, a frame grabber, or a transilluminator light. The integrated devices are used instead of or in addition to an x-ray generator, which is coupled to the collimator tube. The camera is used to capture digital images. The camera is either a camera port for plugging in an external camera, such as an intra-oral camera, or is wholly contained within the collimator tube. The radio frequency transmitter transmits digital data to a remote computer. The frame grabber captures digital data for display on a display device. The transilluminator light can illuminate an area for digital capture. A novel receptor holder includes a docking port for docking a sensor that is used for digital x-ray capture.
1 . A receptor holder comprising:
a connection end operable to couple the receptor holder to a collimator tube;
a bar coupled to the connection end;
a holder end coupled to the bar, said holder end having a sensor docking port;
a wire coupled to the connection end and the sensor docking port; and
wherein the receptor holder is operable to allow digital data to be transmitted from a sensor docked on the docking port through the wire and to the connection end.
2 . The receptor holder of claim 1 , wherein the wire is contained within the bar.
3 . The receptor holder of claim 1 , wherein the bar contains a radio frequency transmitter, said radio frequency transmitter being operable to transmit digital images to a computer device.
4 . The receptor holder of claim 1 , wherein the holder end is operable to hold an x ray film.
5 . The receptor holder of claim 1 , wherein the connection end is square in cross section shape.
6 . The receptor holder of claim 1 , wherein the connection end is rectangular in cross section shape.
7 . The receptor holder of claim 1 , wherein the bar is adjustable.
8 . The receptor holder of claim 7 , wherein the bar includes notches which are adapted to indicate the distance between the connection end and the holder end.
9 . The receptor holder of claim 1 , wherein the holder end is adapted to hold a mirror.
10 . A receptor holder adapted for use with a collimator tube and an X-ray generator; the collimator tube having a contact sensor receptacle; the receptor holder comprising:
a connection end operable to couple the receptor holder to the collimator tube;
a contact sensor on said connection end adapted to connect with the contact sensor receptacle when said connection end is coupled to the collimator tube;
a bar coupled to said connection end;
a holder end coupled to the bar.
11 . The receptor holder of claim 10 , wherein a light illuminates when said contact sensor connects with the contact sensor receptacle.
12 . The receptor holder of claim 10 , wherein an audible sound is emitted when said contact sensor connects with the contact sensor receptacle.
13 . The receptor holder of claim 10 , wherein the X-ray generator will not fire unless said contact sensor is connected with the contact sensor receptacle.
14 . The receptor holder of claim 10 , further comprising:
a sensor docking port located in the holder end, said sensor docking port operable to make an electrical connection with an X-ray sensor docked on the docking port.
15 . The receptor holder of claim 14 , further comprising:
a radio frequency transmitter electrically mated to the sensor docking port when said connection end is coupled to the collimator tube;
wherein said radio frequency transmitter is operable to transmit digital data from a sensor docked on the docking port.
16 . The receptor holder of claim 10 , wherein the receptor holder is adapted to be magnetically coupled to the collimator tube when the receptor holder is positioned adjacent to the collimator tube.
17 . The receptor holder of claim 16 , further comprising:
a metal snap ring coupled to the connecting end;
wherein said snap ring contacts a magnet in the collimator tube when the receptor holder is positioned adjacent to the collimator tube;
wherein said snap ring is said contact sensor.
18 . A receptor holder adapted to hold an X-ray sensor, the receptor holder also adapted to be used with a collimator tube, the receptor holder comprising:
a connection end operable to couple the receptor holder to the collimator tube;
a bar coupled to said connection end;
a holder end coupled to the bar;
a sensor docking port proximate to said holder end, said sensor docking port operable to make an electrical connection with the X-ray sensor when docked on the docking port.
19 . The receptor holder of claim 18 , further comprising a contact end coupled to said bar proximate to said connection end, said contact end being operable to make an electrical connection with the collimator tube.
20 . The receptor holder of claim 19 , further comprising a wire which electrically couples said contact end to said sensor docking port.
21 . The receptor holder of claim 18 , wherein the holder end is adapted to hold a digital charge-coupled sensor.
22 . The receptor holder of claim 18 , further comprising a contact sensor on the connection end adapted to connect with a contact sensor receptacle in the collimator tube when said connection end is coupled to the collimator tube.
23 . The receptor holder of claim 18 , wherein the holder end is adapted to hold an X-ray film.
24 . The receptor holder of claim 18 , wherein said electrical connection is an edge contact connection.