2 min read | May 14, 2024
Foundational Patent for Intracoronary Imaging Analysis Secured
Octiocor, a University of Cambridge spinout has reached a major milestone with the granting of US patent US11983875B2, titled “Method and Apparatus for Analysing Intracoronary Images.” This foundational patent covers cutting-edge technology that uses artificial intelligence to automate the analysis of intracoronary imaging, offering transformative potential for the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD), the world’s leading cause of death.
The patent is available for exclusive licensing to Octiocor, giving the company a unique position in the global medtech space. The protected technology is the result of groundbreaking research by a large team of researchers, spearheaded by Octiocor co-founders Martin Bennett and Dr. Mike Roberts who are leaders in cardiovascular medicine and AI image analysis at the University of Cambridge.
The patented system represents a major leap forward in cardiovascular diagnostics. It applies a multi-stage AI pipeline to process and interpret high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of coronary arteries. The technology can automatically identify diseased arterial tissue, detect and correct imaging artefacts, and quantify clinically relevant features such as fibrous cap thickness, lumen dimensions, and plaque composition.
This AI-driven approach dramatically reduces the time and subjectivity involved in image interpretation, enhances accuracy, and facilitates earlier and more precise diagnosis of heart disease, ultimately improving patient outcomes and supporting better decision-making for clinicians.
“This patent validates our team’s commitment to improving cardiovascular healthcare through innovation,” said Professor Martin Bennett. “We are proud to see this research translated into technology that has the potential to impact millions of lives.” Dr Mike Roberts added: “Securing this foundational patent not only protects our intellectual property but also paves the way for commercial deployment. We're excited to bring this tool closer to clinical use.”
The company is already exploring strategic partnerships and regulatory pathways to bring this AI-powered imaging solution to clinicians and hospitals around the world, so keep an eye out for more exciting updates from Octiocor.
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1 min read | January 30, 2026
Octicor appoints Natalie Hayes as CEO
Octiocor Appoints Dr Natalie Hayes as Chief Executive Officer Cambridge, UK
Octiocor Limited, a University of Cambridge spin-out developing novel AI-based Cardiology imaging technology, has appointed Dr Natalie Hayes as Chief Executive Officer.
Dr Hayes is dually qualified in medicine and law, with over 20 years of leadership experience across clinical practice, medical device development, regulation, and healthcare innovation in the UK, EU, MEA, and North America. She has led regulatory, clinical, and corporate affairs functions at both high growth Medtech start-ups and established international manufacturers, bringing deep expertise in clinical strategy and commercial execution, alongside a strong track record of translating complex clinical evidence into successful commercial outcomes. Most recently, Dr Hayes served as Senior Vice President of Clinical, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs and Board Director at Lombard Medical, where she played a key role in the company’s acquisition by MicroPort Endovastec, led global regulatory and clinical strategy for Class III implantable devices, and oversaw international clinical programmes supporting regulatory approvals and market expansion.
Commenting on her appointment, Dr Hayes said: “As a long-term resident of Cambridge, I am very excited to be working with Octiocor, a fabulous University of Cambridge company, which has been built and supported by an incredibly talented team to address a clear unmet clinical need in the care of cardiology patients.”
Hayley French, Chair of Octiocor, added: “Natalie’s appointment represents a pivotal step in translating Octiocor’s pioneering research into meaningful clinical and commercial outcomes. Her rare combination of medical, legal, and regulatory expertise positions us to accelerate innovation, attract strategic investment, and bring transformative imaging technology from Cambridge to patients globally.”
The appointment strengthens Octiocor’s leadership team as the company progresses its technology through advanced development and prepares for important clinical and regulatory milestones.
About Octiocor Limited Octiocor Limited is a University of Cambridge spin-out medical device company developing a novel cardiology imaging technology designed to address significant unmet clinical needs in cardiovascular care.
Enquiries: Natalie Hayes Octiocor Limited info@octiocor.com
2 min read | March 19, 2025
AI Image Analysis Co-founders’ Publication Accepted by European Heart Journal Digital Health
In a major step forward for both AI and cardiovascular medicine, the European Heart Journal Digital Health has accepted a comprehensive review by Octiocor Ltd founders Prof. Martin Bennett and Dr. Mike Roberts on the role of artificial intelligence in intracoronary optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Intracoronary OCT is a high-resolution imaging technique that captures detailed views of the coronary arteries, enabling early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. However, interpreting OCT data remains complex and time-consuming, making it an ideal candidate for AI innovation.
The review examines the current academic publication landscape for AI applications in OCT, spotlighting how machine learning is transforming image analysis, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, and predicting patient outcomes with increasing speed and precision. It also addresses key challenges, including data variability, model generalisability, and regulatory barriers.
“AI holds great potential to dramatically improve diagnostic accuracy in many fields, including cardiovascular imaging,” said Dr. Mike Roberts. “Our review offers a clear snapshot of current capabilities and outlines where we need to go next.”
The publication underscores Octiocor’s leadership at the intersection of AI and cardiovascular imaging—two fields poised for rapid transformation.
“This review is just the beginning,” added Prof. Martin Bennett. “We’re committed to advancing AI tools that can truly make a difference in clinical care.”
Stay tuned for more from Octiocor as they continue to push the boundaries of medical imaging through AI.
1 min read | February 11, 2025
Octiocor’s AutoOCT™ Selected for Oral Presentation at EuroPCR 2025
We’re excited to share that Octiocor’s groundbreaking automated OCT analysis system, AutoOCT™, has been selected for two oral presentations at EuroPCR 2025, Europe’s premier event for interventional cardiovascular medicine, including the prestigious Innovations session. EuroPCR brings together leading experts in cardiology and provides a powerful platform to showcase advancements that could shape the future of cardiovascular care.
The opportunity to present AutoOCT™ at EuroPCR is a significant milestone for Octiocor, as it underscores the growing recognition of our system’s potential to transform the field of cardiac imaging. AutoOCT™ woffers clinicians a faster, more accurate, and repeatable way to analyse OCT images, empowering them to make critical decisions with greater confidence.
We’re looking forward to the engaging discussions and feedback from thought leaders in the cardiovascular community. This recognition is not just a testament to the hard work of our team but also to the incredible promise of AutoOCT™ in improving patient care and advancing the future of interventional cardiology. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we prepare for this incredible opportunity!
1 min read | October 7, 2024
Octiocor’s AutoOCT™ Shines at 2024 TCT Meeting in Washington D.C.
Octiocor is proud to announce that our cutting-edge automated OCT analysis system, AutoOCT™, was featured in the Innovations session at the prestigious 2024 International Transcatheter Therapeutics (TCT) meeting in Washington D.C. TCT is one of the most influential global forums for interventional cardiology, bringing together experts and innovators from across the world.
During the event, Octiocor co-founder and CMO Prof. Martin Bennett shared insights on the powerful capabilities of AutoOCT™, which will revolutionise the way clinicians analyse optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. As Martin Bennett said ‘We had a great response from both industry and potential funders that we’re currently exploring’, and Octiocor is currently exploring exciting opportunities to advance AutoOCT™ further, thanks to the invaluable connections made at TCT.
At Octiocor, we're committed to improving patient outcomes and advancing medical technology. With AutoOCT™, we’re making significant strides toward providing faster, more accurate diagnostic tools for cardiologists worldwide. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to innovate and lead the way in cardiac imaging.