Is it possible to have the scanned image itself added to a database and not just the image path?

Yes. Image files can be inserted into binary fields in Access, SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL and other databases.

Check the “Store files as binary objects” option on the Database tab and the “Output File Field” setting can be mapped to a binary field.

If using PDF, MS Office or other non-image files, use the File Type Field to store the file extension of the stored file.

SimpleSearch mode will let you view files stored using this method as well.