ISO 12052-2017 PDF

Full title and description

Health informatics — Digital imaging and communication in medicine (DICOM) including workflow and data management. This International Standard (ISO 12052:2017, 2nd edition) specifies the DICOM information model, file formats, network services and workflow/data management elements used to exchange medical images and related information across devices and systems.

Abstract

ISO 12052:2017 defines the syntax and semantics for exchange of digital medical images and associated information, covering network communication protocols, command and service semantics, media storage and file formats, a medical directory structure for interchange media, and the conformance information to be supplied by implementations. It is intended to facilitate multi‑vendor interoperability in diagnostic imaging, image‑based therapies and related domains, while not prescribing implementation details or test procedures.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; under review/revision activity noted by ISO).
• Publication date: August 2017 (Edition 2, published 2017-08).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO); the DICOM standard is also maintained by the DICOM Standards Committee / NEMA in practice.
• ICS / categories: 35.240.80 (Health informatics — Healthcare IT / medical imaging).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (ISO 12052:2017).
• Number of pages: 17 pages (published document length as listed by ISO).

Scope

ISO 12052:2017 applies to the exchange of digital images and related information between medical imaging equipment and systems that manage and communicate that information. It addresses network protocols and message semantics, media storage and file formats, and the information required for claiming conformance. The standard focuses on diagnostic imaging and image‑based therapies (radiology, cardiology, pathology, dentistry, ophthalmology, radiotherapy, interventional procedures) but is also applicable to research, veterinary and other medical environments. It does not mandate implementation details or a single test/validation procedure.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of DICOM information object definitions (IODs) and attributes used to represent images and related clinical data.
• Service Class Specifications and message exchange semantics (DIMSE services) for networked operations.
• Network communication support and transport protocols (TCP/IP based exchanges and associated conformance rules).
• File format and media storage services, including a medical directory structure for interchange media.
• Workflow and data management elements to support PACS, RIS integration and image lifecycle management.
• Conformance statements: information that implementations must supply when claiming conformance to the standard.

Typical use and users

Primary users include medical device manufacturers (modalities such as CT, MRI, X‑ray, ultrasound), PACS and VNA vendors, healthcare IT integrators, hospital IT departments, radiology and cardiology departments, clinical researchers and imaging informatics specialists. The standard is used to enable interoperability for acquisition, storage, retrieval, processing, display and archival of medical images in multi‑vendor environments.

Related standards

ISO 12052 maps to and is published alongside the DICOM PS3 family of documents (NEMA PS3.* parts) which provide detailed, versioned technical parts such as Information Object Definitions, Service Class Specifications, Message Exchange and Data Dictionary. Other related standards and profiles include regional/adopted versions (for example BS EN ISO 12052), ASTM DICONDE (for nondestructive evaluation imaging), and applicable ISO/IEC and IEC standards on networking and medical device interoperability.

Keywords

DICOM, digital imaging, medical imaging, PACS, image exchange, file format, data dictionary, workflow, health informatics, ISO 12052.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 12052:2017 is the International Standard that formalizes the DICOM specification for digital imaging and communications in medicine, covering file formats, network services, workflow and data management for medical images.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers information object definitions, service class specifications, message exchanges, network transport support, media storage and a medical directory structure for interchange media, plus the conformance information to be provided by implementations; it does not prescribe implementation details or a single testing procedure.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of imaging modalities, PACS/VNA vendors, hospital IT and informatics teams, radiology/cardiology departments, and researchers who need reliable, standards‑based exchange and storage of medical images and associated data.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document ISO 12052:2017 (2nd edition) is the published ISO representation of DICOM and — as listed by ISO — was published in August 2017 and remains the formal ISO edition; ISO maintains periodic reviews and revision activity for the standard. For the absolute latest DICOM technical updates, consult the DICOM Standards Committee output (DICOM PS3.* series) which is updated more frequently.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 12052 presents the DICOM standard at the ISO level and corresponds to the broader DICOM PS3 family (NEMA PS3.* parts) that contain the detailed, versioned technical parts and updates.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: DICOM, medical images, PACS, interoperability, file format, DIMSE, IOD, data dictionary, workflow, health informatics.