Welcome to the world of medical imaging! Today, we will guide you through the process of setting up a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) using the dicomweb-pacs tool. This easy-to-use node.js application allows you to create a PACS server equipped with DICOM viewer capabilities via DICOMWEB.

What You Need

Before diving into the setup, ensure you have the following:

• Node.js: Version 12 or newer installed on your system.

Setup Instructions: Using npm

Follow these steps to set up the PACS application using npm:

npm init -y

npm install dicomweb-pacs

Next, update the configuration file located in:

.node_modules/dicomweb-pacs/config

To start your PACS server, run:

npx dicomweb-pacs

Setup Instructions: From Source

If you prefer to set up from the source, follow these steps:

git clone 

npm install

Next, update the configuration file located in:

.config

To run the application, execute:

npm start

To import DICOM images, you can use any c-store-scu to push to the internal store-scp with:

AET: DICOMWEB_PACS  port: 8888

Alternatively, if you use the internal store-scu, place DICOM files in the import directory and run the following command (make sure the server is running):

npm run import

Finally, open your web browser and access:

http://localhost:5001

Modifying Configurations

Need some custom configurations? Here are a few modifications you can make:

• Change the port or Application Entity Title (AET) as follows:

config.source = { aet: OUR_AET, ip: OUR_IP, port: OUR_PORT };

• Add peers to your PACS:

config.peers = [{ aet: PEER_AET, ip: PEER_IP, port: PEER_PORT }];

• Update the web server port:

config.webserverPort = 5001;

Understanding the Code Through Analogy

Think of setting up your PACS server like creating an airport for airplanes (DICOM files) to come in and out.

• When you install Node.js, it’s like laying down the runway that will allow your airplanes to fly.
• Your PACS server is the airport itself, managing the incoming flights (image uploads) and ensuring they land safely.
• The configuration file is akin to the air traffic control system, guiding planes to the right gates (resources) and ensuring no collisions (errors) occur.

With the web server acting as the terminal, you can view what flights (images) are currently at the airport with ease.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter issues while setting up your PACS system, consider these troubleshooting steps:

• Make sure your Node.js version is compatible; try using version 12 or newer.
• Verify that the necessary dependencies are correctly installed.
• Check if the configuration files are accurately updated. A small typo can cause significant delays!
• Ensure that your server is running when you attempt to access it through the browser.
• If you have further questions, you can reach out for support.

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

Conclusion

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.