The Espree is the original wide-bore 1.5T MRI system that established the clinical case for larger bore diameters in the superconducting magnet class, and its long production run means a mature, well-documented refurbished market exists alongside new system availability. The Espree's 70-centimeter bore and 125-centimeter magnet length were engineering achievements when the system launched, and they remain clinically relevant for facilities that serve a patient population where standard-bore systems generate unacceptable failure rates. If your practice regularly sedates patients or refers them out because they cannot tolerate a conventional bore, the Espree's geometry addresses that problem at 1.5T field strength without the added cost of a 3T platform.
Financing an Espree project means accounting for the full installation scope: the magnet, RF shielding designed for the Espree's 1.5T field, the chiller system, and any room modifications required to accommodate the bore length and magnet weight. We structure these as a single transaction rather than requiring each vendor to manage a separate financing relationship, and our timeline from application to funding runs one to two weeks for a complete file.
New Espree vs. Refurbished: The Financing Calculus
The Espree has been in the market long enough that a refurbished unit can represent genuine value for a facility that wants wide-bore 1.5T performance without the capital outlay for a current-generation system. A well-refurbished Espree from an OEM-certified source typically includes a software upgrade to a supported generation, a documented service history, and a one-year parts and labor warranty from the refurbisher. We finance refurbished Espree systems under our used equipment financing program, with advance rates and amortization periods reflecting the system's age and condition.
A new Espree is less commonly available now that Siemens has transitioned to the BioMatrix-generation Aera as its primary wide-bore 1.5T platform, but where new units can be sourced through a Siemens Healthineers transaction, they finance under the same terms as any new system. Buyers deciding between a refurbished Espree and a new Aera should compare total cost of ownership over a ten-year horizon, not just purchase price, because the software platform, service contract economics, and coil ecosystem differ meaningfully between the two generations.
Facilities That Choose the Espree
Practices looking for a reliable, cost-effective wide-bore 1.5T without committing to the price of a current-generation BioMatrix system represent the core Espree buyer in the refurbished market. Orthopedic clinics that perform high volumes of large-patient joint studies, and imaging centers that have received referral feedback about patient comfort issues on their current standard-bore system, are the strongest candidates. The Espree's combination of wide bore, proven 1.5T clinical performance, and established coil library makes it a low-risk refurbished purchase for facilities with competent biomedical engineering support.
Chiropractic imaging facilities and rehabilitation medicine practices that need reliable spinal and extremity imaging in a patient-friendly environment also find the Espree's geometry appropriate for their caseload. These buyers typically are not operating at the clinical complexity level that would justify a 3T platform, and the Espree's cost in the refurbished market is accessible to a practice that is bringing imaging in-house for the first time.
Refinancing an Existing Espree
Practices that already own an Espree and have built equity in it can access that capital through a cash-out refinance or a MRI Sale-Leaseback. An Espree in good working condition with a current software generation has residual value that can support a liquidity transaction even if the system is several years into its life. This approach is most appropriate when the practice needs capital for another investment, whether that is a new service line, a facility expansion, or a second imaging system, and does not want to increase overall debt by adding a new obligation on top of the existing balance sheet.
A sale-leaseback converts the owned asset to a leased asset, releasing the equity as cash while maintaining operational use of the system. The monthly lease payment replaces whatever existing debt service was in place, and the net cash position changes in the direction the practice needs. We evaluate sale-leaseback proposals on existing Espree systems routinely; provide us the current outstanding lien balance if any and a recent service record, and we can assess the transaction quickly.
Documentation and Approval Process
Refurbished Espree transactions typically fall within our application-only tier, meaning a one-page application and the equipment purchase agreement are sufficient to initiate the review. We return decisions within 24 hours. New or large projects including full siting work may require the standard supplemental documentation of three months of bank statements. Practices with B or C credit histories are considered on all Espree transactions; we look at revenue trends and the operating picture of the practice, not only at the credit score. Comparing an Espree acquisition against a general wide-bore MRI financing overview is useful for practices that are not yet committed to the Espree specifically and want to understand the full range of options before selecting a system.
Espree Financing Questions
Start Your Magnetom Espree Financing
Wide-bore 1.5T financing for orthopedic, chiropractic, and general imaging buyers. New and refurbished systems. Application-only up to approximately $400,000. B/C credit considered. Decisions in 24 hours. Contact us with your equipment quote.