DICOM Image Sharing for Small Practices: A Simple Guide

What Is DICOM?

DICOM stands for Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine. It's the universal standard that medical imaging machines — ultrasounds, X-rays, CT scanners, MRIs — use to store and transmit images.

Think of it like USB for medical images. Just as any USB device works in any USB port, any DICOM-compatible machine can send images to any DICOM-compatible server. It doesn't matter if the machine is from Samsung, GE, Philips, or Siemens — they all speak DICOM.

The simple version: DICOM is the language your ultrasound machine uses to send images over a network. If you set up a DICOM destination (like SonoLink), the machine can automatically send images there after every scan.

Why Should a Small Practice Care About DICOM?

If you're currently using USB drives, burning CDs, or manually emailing photos from your phone, DICOM can eliminate all of that. Here's what changes when you set up DICOM sharing:

Before (Manual)

Save images to USB drive
Walk USB to computer
Upload images somewhere
Email or text link to patient
5-10 minutes per patient

After (DICOM)

Machine sends images automatically
Images organized by patient
Gallery link generated instantly
Text link to patient
~30 seconds per patient

How DICOM Sharing Works (Step by Step)

Here's the full flow from scan to patient viewing images on their phone:

1
You scan the patient
Business as usual — perform the ultrasound and save the images you want to share.
2
Machine sends images via DICOM
Your ultrasound machine sends the images over your network to a DICOM server (like SonoLink's cloud server). This happens in seconds.
3
Server organizes and creates gallery
The server receives the images, groups them by patient, and generates a shareable web gallery with a unique link.
4
You share the link with the patient
Text the gallery link or show a QR code. The patient taps the link, enters a PIN, and views all their images on their phone. No app needed.

Key DICOM Terms (Simplified)

You don't need to become a DICOM expert, but knowing a few terms helps when setting up your machine:

AE Title (AET)

A name that identifies a device on the network. Your machine has one, and the server you send to has one. Think of it like a screen name.

DICOM Store (C-STORE)

The action of sending an image from your machine to a server. When you "store" an image, you're sending it somewhere.

Port

The network "door" the server listens on. DICOM typically uses port 4242 or 104. It's like a channel number on a walkie-talkie.

Transfer Syntax

The format/compression used when sending images. Usually you want "uncompressed" or "JPEG" for best quality.

Does My Machine Support DICOM?

Almost certainly yes. Any modern ultrasound machine from a major manufacturer supports DICOM. This includes:

Samsung (HM70, HS40, HS50, WS80, RS85)
GE (Voluson, LOGIQ)
Philips (EPIQ, Affiniti)
Siemens (ACUSON)
Mindray (DC, Resona series)
Most other commercial ultrasound machines

If your machine has an Ethernet port or WiFi and a “DICOM settings” menu, it supports DICOM.

DICOM Sharing Options for Small Practices

Option	Cost	Complexity	Best For
Full PACS	$200–500/mo	High	Hospitals, diagnostic practices
Self-hosted server	$50–100/mo	Very high	Tech-savvy owners
Tricefy	~$150/mo	Medium	Studios wanting extra features
SonoLink	$15/mo	Low	Small elective studios

Getting Started with DICOM Sharing

If you're ready to ditch USB drives and set up automatic image sharing, the process is straightforward:

Sign up for a DICOM-capable image sharing service (like SonoLink)
Get your connection details — server IP, AE Title, and port number
Add those details to your ultrasound machine in the DICOM/network settings menu
Send a test image — confirm it appears in your dashboard
Start sharing — every scan now flows automatically to the cloud

The whole setup takes about 15 minutes. No IT person required. If you use a Samsung HM70, we have a detailed setup guide that walks you through every screen.