Image capture device and methods

An x-ray generator comprising:

• a collimator tube;
• an x-ray sensor electrically coupled to said collimator tube;
• a wireless communicator operably coupled to the x-ray sensor to communicate data captured the x-ray sensor;
• a screen operably coupled to the wireless communicator and operable for viewing images captured by the x-ray sensor.

An apparatus for use with an x-ray generator, the apparatus comprising:

• a portable sensor unit;
• wherein the portable sensor unit includes a sensor port, said sensor port being operable to communicate with a sensor for capturing digital data;
• and
• wherein the portable sensor unit includes a radio frequency transmitter, said transmitter being coupled to the sensor port, and said transmitter being operable to transmit the digital data captured with a connected sensor to an external device having a radio frequency receiver.

A method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an X-ray generator having a collimator tube;
• b) providing an apparatus for use with an X-ray generator, the apparatus comprising:
• a connection end operable to couple the apparatus to the collimator tube;
• and
• a measurement guide to allow for measuring a first distance between a patient and a position of at which an X-ray image is captured;
• c) positioning the X-ray generator to take a particular type of dental image of a patient;
• d) using the measurement guide to determine the first distance;
• e) capturing a first dental image of the patient;
• f) recording the first distance at which the first dental image was taken;
• g) recording the particular image type of the first dental image taken of the patient;
• h) positioning the X-ray generator to take the same particular type of dental image at the same first distance of the same patient at a later time;
• i) using the measurement guide to determine the first distance at the later time;
• j) capturing a second dental image of the particular type of dental image of the same patient at a later time;
• k) comparing the first dental image to the second dental image to track changes in the patient's oral health.