DICOM MCP Server: Integrating AI Applications into DICOM Workflows

Overview: What is the DICOM MCP Server?

The DICOM Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server serves as a bridge between AI applications such as Claude Desktop, Continue, and Cursor, and specific data sources or tools requiring DICOM connectivity. By adhering to the MCP protocol, this server ensures seamless integration, enabling developers to leverage advanced medical imaging data in artificial intelligence workflows.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

The DICOM MCP Server provides a robust set of features tailored for AI application developers who need DICUM connectivity. Key capabilities include:

Node Configuration: Define and manage DICOM nodes using a nodes.yaml file, which facilitates operations like C-ECHO without needing explicit AE titles, IPs, or ports.
C-Echo Operations: Quickly perform echo requests (C-Echo) to check if a remote DICOM node is available. This is critical for validating connectivity between AI applications and medical imaging systems.
MCP Management: The server is seamlessly managed by the MCP client during operation, ensuring that it remains running even when not explicitly started.

⚙️ MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

The architecture of the DICOM MCP Server is built around the Model Context Protocol (MCP), which standardizes communication between different components in complex AI workflows. The server supports a two-way protocol flow:

From AI Application: The MCP client sends commands and requests to the server.
To Data Source/Tool: The server then processes these commands, interacting with DICOM nodes as needed.

Example Protocol Flow Diagram

graph TD
    A[AI Application] -->|MCP Client| B[MCP Protocol]
    B --> C[MCP Server]
    C --> D[Data Source/Tool]
    style A fill:#e1f5fe
    style C fill:#f3e5f5
    style D fill:#e8f5e8

This diagram illustrates the typical flow of communication from an AI application to a data source or tool through the MCP protocol.

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

To set up and use the DICOM MCP Server, developers can opt for one of two installation methods:

Traditional Setup

Install Dependencies:
```
pip install uv
```
Install the Server via MCP Command Line Interface (CLI):
```
mcp install server.py
```

The above command registers the server with an MCP client, allowing it to be managed automatically during operations.

Direct Execution

To start the server manually:

uv run server.py

This starts the server on 0.0.0.0:8080 by default.

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

The DICOM MCP Server enables a wide range of use cases, particularly in AI-driven medical imaging workflows. Here are two realistic scenarios:

Use Case 1: Medical Image Annotation

In this scenario, an AI application might need to interact with various PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems) for annotating images. The DICOM MCP Server ensures seamless communication between the AI tool and the PACS system.

# Example Code Sample
def annotate_images(node_name="main_pacs", local_ae_name="default"):
    response = dicom_cecho_by_name(node_name, local_ae_name)
    if response.success:
        # Proceed with annotation logic
        pass

Use Case 2: Real-Time Data Monitoring

For applications monitoring real-time patient data from various medical devices, the server facilitates efficient querying and updates. This ensures that AI tools can receive timely updates without manual intervention.

# Example Code Sample for Real-Time Data Monitoring
def monitor_data(node_name="main_monitor", local_ae_name="realtime"):
    while True:
        response = dicom_cecho_by_name(node_name, local_ae_name)
        if not response.success:
            print("Connection lost. Reconnecting...")
            time.sleep(5)  # Wait for a few seconds before retrying

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

The DICOM MCP Server is designed to integrate seamlessly with multiple MCP clients, ensuring broad compatibility across AI tools.

MCP Client Compatibility Matrix

MCP Client	Resources	Tools	Prompts	Status
Claude Desktop	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Continue	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Cursor	❌	✅	❌	Tools Only

This matrix highlights the support status for various MCP clients, emphasizing full compatibility across all listed tools.

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

The server performs optimally under standard network conditions and supports a wide range of DICOM node configurations. Compatibility is ensured through rigorous testing with different AI applications and MCP clients.

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

Customizing the server for advanced scenarios involves tweaking the nodes.yaml file to include detailed configurations for each DICOM node. Additionally, security best practices should be followed, such as restricting access via firewall rules or secure channel establishment using SCP (Storage Commitment Protocol).

Example Configuration Code Sample

nodes:
  main_pacs:
    ae_title: DESTINATION_AE_TITLE
    ip: 192.168.1.100
    port: 104
    description: "Main hospital PACS system"

local_ae_titles:
  - name: default
    ae_title: MCP_DICOM_DEFAULT_AE
    description: "Default AE title for MCP DICOM server"
  
  - name: pacs_gateway
    ae_title: PACS_GATEWAY_AE_TITLE
    description: "PACS Gateway AE title"

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I resolve the "spawn uv ENOENT" error?

This issue typically arises when UV is not properly installed or not in your PATH. Ensure UV is correctly set up and accessible.

Q2: Can I configure multiple local AE titles for different C-Echo operations?

Yes, you can add multiple local_ae_titles in the nodes.yaml file to handle different scenarios.

Q3: How do I perform a C-ECHO operation using node names instead of explicit titles?

Use the dicom_cecho_by_name() function with the appropriate node and local AE title parameters.

Q4: Is this server compatible with all MCP clients?

Yes, it is fully compatible with Claude Desktop, Continue, and Cursor but only provides tools support for Cursor.

Q5: What are some best practices for securing my DICOM MCP Server setup?

Secure your setup by using firewall rules to restrict access and ensuring encrypted connections through SCP whenever possible.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

Contributions to the DICOM MCP Server are welcome. Developers can contribute by submitting bug fixes, adding new features, or improving existing documentation. Ensure you adhere to the code of conduct when contributing.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

The broader MCP ecosystem includes various tools and resources that can be utilized alongside the DICOM MCP Server. Visit the official MCP GitHub repository for more details on MCP protocol implementation, tool integrations, and best practices.

By leveraging the DICOM MCP Server, developers can build robust AI workflows that seamlessly integrate with medical imaging systems and other data sources through a standardized protocol.

DICOM MCP Server