Patent · US Expired

Image capture device and methods

US7194064B2 · kind B2 · utility

16Cited by
19References
57Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 23, 2005
Grant dateMar 20, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 23, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B6/08
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.