Recording devices

Long-term storage of medical images is a medico-legal requirement.  Typically, for adults, medical images are required to be stored for 7-10 years, but the length of time varies by jurisdiction.

Over the years, a variety of different methods have been used to record and store medical images.  For about 100 years, the most common method was using some sort of analog camera to record the images onto film.  However, since the mid 1980's digital imaging has replaced cameras and film.

Today, ultrasound images are recorded and stored in a digital format called DICOM, and are stored and distributed throughout a medical computer network called a PACS. 

The following video provides a brief history of ultrasound recording devices and also provides detail on the current technology: