Ayati’s journey from an idea in a research lab to a nationally deployed medical device solution is not just a success story — it’s a blueprint for the kind of healthcare innovation India, and the world, truly needs.
By A Correspondent
Nishant Kathpal’s career journey is as inspiring as the mission that now drives him: preventing diabetic foot amputations through affordable, innovative medical technology. More than just an engineer or entrepreneur, Nishant is a relentless problem-solver driven by curiosity and purpose.
“I’ve always been curious,” he says. “Curiosity, mixed with a hunger to learn and solve real-world problems, has shaped every career decision I’ve made.”
The Early Years: Engineering Foundations
Nishant’s journey began in 2013 when he completed his graduation in Electronics and Communication Engineering. Like many talented engineers of his generation, he entered the software industry, landing a role at Netcracker Technology. Here, he worked on building custom software solutions tailored to the telecom sector.
“It was a great place to start,” he says. “Telecom software taught me how systems scale, how reliability matters, and how technology can directly impact millions of lives. But I also felt that something was missing.”
That something, it turns out, was a deeper engagement with tangible, human-centered problems. So, he made a bold move: stepping away from corporate comfort to pursue higher studies. Nishant cleared one of India’s toughest engineering entrance exams and secured admission to IIT Bombay — one of the country’s most prestigious institutes.
There, he pursued a Master’s degree in Electronic Systems, focusing on Embedded Systems and VLSI Design. More than just academics, it was here that Nishant started seeing how technology could be applied to real-world challenges — especially in healthcare.
Entering the World of MedTech
During his time at IIT Bombay, Nishant joined BETiC (Biomedical Engineering and Technology Incubation Centre) — a research initiative focused on solving clinical problems through engineering solutions.
“I wanted to solve something real, something that would directly affect people,” he shares. “Healthcare was that domain. It’s technical, it’s complex, and the problems are urgent.”
At BETiC, Nishant and his team came face-to-face with one of the most neglected complications of diabetes: peripheral neuropathy — a condition where diabetic patients gradually lose sensation in their feet, often resulting in unnoticed injuries that can lead to ulcers, infections, and even amputations.
“In India alone, nearly 2 lakh amputations happen every year due to diabetic foot complications,” Nishant says. “And the shocking part? These are preventable.”
This realization sparked the beginning of Ayati Devices.
Birth of Ayati: From Lab to Life
In 2019, leveraging the insights and research experience from BETiC, Nishant co-founded Ayati Devices with a simple but powerful mission — to democratize diabetic foot screening using affordable, accurate, and portable technology.
“The problem was clear,” he recalls. “Existing screening devices were bulky, expensive, or not suited for rural or mass screening setups. What we needed was a point-of-care, battery-powered, handheld device — and that’s exactly what we built.”
Thus, VIBRASENSE was born in 2020 — a compact device capable of early screening for neuropathy in diabetic patients. Designed for use in screening camps and clinics alike, it was lightweight, user-friendly, and accurate. The team even tested it in mass screening camps in Shegaon and Chandrapur, where they witnessed the urgency of the problem firsthand.
“Meeting patients with advanced ulcers who had no idea they were even at risk was heartbreaking. But it also fueled our commitment,” Nishant says.
Building Credibility, One Clinic at a Time
In 2021, Ayati Devices received their first major validation from a recognized name — Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Clinic in Chennai. “They allowed us to test the device on 70+ subjects. The results matched the gold-standard Biothesiometer, proving the effectiveness of VIBRASENSE.”
From there, momentum built rapidly. Feedback from doctors and public health professionals led to the development of an upgraded clinical version — VIBRASENSE+T.
“The upgraded model included digital reporting, multi-point testing for vibration, temperature, and pressure thresholds — all through a single probe,” Nishant explains. “It was perfect for tertiary care hospitals. Now, the same tool could be used in both urban hospitals and rural camps.”
Today, Ayati Devices has deployed over 6,000 units of VIBRASENSE and VIBRASENSE+T across India. Hospitals are using them not just for diabetic patients but also for chemotherapy-induced neuropathy screening.
MedTech With a Mission
At the heart of Ayati’s story is a deep sense of purpose. The company is not just about selling devices. It’s about reducing amputations, raising awareness, and making healthcare accessible to every corner of India — and eventually, the world.
“We’re not building luxury gadgets. We’re solving problems that affect millions — silently,” Nishant says, his voice tinged with both passion and urgency.
Their ISO 13485 certification — a mark of international medical device quality — is a testament to their focus on safety and efficacy. Yet what stands out even more is the company’s culture.
“We’re a multi-disciplinary team — engineers, designers, medical experts — all driven by the same goal. Everyone here is empowered to innovate.”
Leading with Empathy
As CEO, Nishant wears many hats — strategist, product manager, problem-solver, team leader. His management philosophy is shaped by his diverse experience, from writing telecom code to managing research projects.
“I believe in empathetic leadership,” he says. “When you build solutions for people in pain, empathy can’t be optional. It’s the foundation.”
He also emphasizes adaptability. “In a startup, roles blur. Some days I’m in design meetings, other days I’m talking to public health officials. But every day, I’m learning.”
What’s Next for Ayati Devices?
The future is ambitious — but grounded.
Ayati is now working on AI-enabled diagnostic tools, integration with telemedicine platforms, and expanding to global markets in Southeast Asia and Africa, where diabetic foot complications are just as prevalent.
“We envision Ayati as the global leader in first-level diagnostic tools — starting with diabetic foot, but expanding into other non-invasive screening areas as well.”
Nishant also hints at partnerships with NGOs and state governments for wider implementation in rural India. “We’ve proven the model. Now it’s time to scale.”
Final Thoughts: Purpose Beyond Profit
As our conversation wraps up, I ask Nishant what keeps him going — especially in a sector as challenging as MedTech.
He pauses for a moment and then says, “Every time we detect a patient at risk before it’s too late, that’s a life potentially saved. That’s what drives me.”
In a world where technology often chases convenience or luxury, Nishant Kathpal and Ayati Devices are a refreshing reminder of what innovation should be — purpose-driven, people-centered, and relentlessly practical.
Ayati’s journey from an idea in a research lab to a nationally deployed medical device solution is not just a success story — it’s a blueprint for the kind of healthcare innovation India, and the world, truly needs.
