What is the DICOM format and how to visualize medical images in 3D with XR technology?
In the field of medicine, a picture is worth a thousand words. A CT scan, MRI, or X-ray generates a large amount of key information for diagnosis. However, what many don’t know is that behind those images lies a specific format that allows them to be stored, interpreted, and shared securely: the DICOM format.
What does DICOM mean and what is it for?
DICOM stands for Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine. It is the international standard used by medical equipment to store and transmit clinical images along with all relevant patient and study information. For decades, this format has enabled hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centers to work interoperably, regardless of the medical equipment manufacturer.
More than just an image
Unlike other image formats like JPEG, a DICOM file not only contains the image but also a large amount of clinical metadata such as the patient’s name, date, type of study, technical scanner parameters, among others. This information allows healthcare professionals to access a complete and reliable medical history, but not only that. It also enables more precise diagnoses and better-informed decision making.
The challenge of visualizing DICOM files
Despite its usefulness, working with DICOM files is not always easy. Their visualization requires specific tools and, in many cases, advanced technical knowledge. Physicians often rely on complex workstations or limited software, which can hinder image interpretation in critical situations or outside the hospital environment.
The revolution of 3D medical visualization
In recent years, technology has taken a leap forward. Thanks to solutions like LAIA XR, it is now possible to transform DICOM files into interactive 3D anatomical models that can be explored using Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality glasses, or directly from a computer.
This transformation not only improves the understanding of the internal structures of the human body but also allows to:
- Plan surgical interventions with greater precision.
- Detect abnormalities from different angles.
- Improve communication with patients and between specialists.
- Train medical students with a more complete visual experience.
How does LAIA XR work?
LAIA XR is healthcare software that automatically processes medical images in DICOM format and generates highly detailed 3D reconstructions. Thanks to its segmentation system, professionals can highlight specific organs or anatomical structures and study each case in a personalized way. All this without the need for technical knowledge, making the platform accessible to surgeons, radiologists, students, or clinical support staff alike
Un formato clave para una medicina más precisa
he DICOM format will continue to be the foundation for medical imaging diagnosis for many years to come. But today, thanks to technologies like Extended Reality (XR), we go a step further: we no longer just see images — we understand, explore, and use them to make better medical decisions
