One of the most common questions we get from interventional cardiologists and vascular surgeons opening OBLs is how lenders treat different imaging modalities. The answer matters significantly for your financing strategy.

Mobile C-Arms: The Entry Point

Mobile C-arms are the most financeable piece of equipment in the OBL toolkit. Price range: $80,000–$400,000 depending on manufacturer, detector size, and software package. Because they are mobile, they have strong secondary market value — which means lenders have collateral they can actually recover if the deal goes sideways.

As a result, mobile C-arm financing is relatively straightforward, even for startup practices. Most physician-focused lenders will approve 100% financing on a mobile C-arm for a qualified physician, with terms from 36 to 84 months.

Financing Range: $80,000 – $400,000 | 36–84 month terms | Approvals within 24–48 hours for qualified physicians.

Fixed Fluoroscopy and Interventional Tables

Fixed fluoroscopy systems — ceiling-mounted or floor-mounted systems in a dedicated procedure room — run $400,000 to $900,000. These are a step up in complexity for lenders because they are permanently installed, which reduces portability and secondary market liquidity.

Lenders who specialize in healthcare equipment are comfortable with fixed fluoroscopy, particularly when the equipment is from a major manufacturer (Philips, Siemens, GE, Canon). The key underwriting question is whether the facility itself is owned or leased, and the terms of any lease.

Fixed Angiography Suites: The Big Ticket

A fully equipped, fixed angiography suite — the kind used for cardiac catheterizations, coronary interventions, and peripheral vascular procedures — represents the high end of OBL equipment financing. Total cost including room build-out, shielding, equipment, and installation: $1.5M to $4M+.

This is where lender selection becomes critical. Most equipment leasing companies will not touch a $3M fixed angio suite in a startup OBL. Physician-focused specialty lenders, however, structure these deals regularly — particularly when the physician has strong personal credit, a realistic procedure volume model, and a solid referring network.

Key Lender Concern: For fixed suites, lenders focus heavily on the real estate situation. If you own your building, financing is significantly easier. If you lease, they want a lease term that outlasts the equipment loan — typically a 5+ year lease for a 5-year equipment term.

Matching Equipment to Your Capital Plan

The most common mistake physicians make is choosing equipment first and then trying to finance it. A better approach is to understand your financing capacity first, then select equipment that fits.

A physician with strong personal credit and a solid business plan can typically finance $500K–$1.5M in OBL equipment without significant difficulty. Getting above $2M requires a stronger package — ideally a track record of similar procedures in a hospital setting, and sometimes a partial down payment or equity injection.

  • Under $500K: Mobile C-arm, basic fluoroscopy, ultrasound suite — straightforward financing
  • $500K–$1.5M: Fixed fluoroscopy suite, C-arm + procedure room package — standard OBL financing
  • $1.5M–$3M: Fixed angiography suite — requires physician-focused specialty lender
  • $3M+: Full cath lab build-out — structured deal, may involve SBA or multiple lender tranches

Not Sure What You Can Finance?

Tell us about your equipment list and we will structure the right deal — including any equipment you might not expect to be financeable.

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