Tiny Air

Tiny Air Limited is a UK-based medical technology company focused on automating high-risk, manual processes in surgical instrument decontamination. Tiny Air has developed the first fully automated, chemical-free, validated pre-cleaning system for reusable surgical instruments, transforming a historically variable and hazardous step into a controlled, repeatable process. The system is clinically validated in NHS and private healthcare settings, and designed to improve safety, capacity and environmental performance. Tiny Air is also developing an automated inspection system to support more consistent detection of residual contamination. The company works closely with frontline teams to deliver practical, scalable innovations.

Approach to Healthcare:

Tiny Air’s approach to healthcare is centred on reducing risk, variability and environmental impact in essential clinical workflows. We focus on processes that have traditionally relied on manual effort and individual judgement despite their importance to patient safety and staff wellbeing. By working closely with frontline clinicians, decontamination teams and engineers, we develop validated systems that support staff rather than burden them. Our philosophy is that healthcare innovation should improve safety, efficiency and sustainability simultaneously, while fitting naturally into existing workflows and supporting compliance, audit and long-term resilience.

Impact of Products/Services on Healthcare:

Tiny Air addresses one of the most critical gaps in surgical instrument reprocessing: manual pre-cleaning. This step is a major source of residual contamination, rewash, staff fatigue and unnecessary environmental impact. Tiny Air’s automated pre-cleaning system delivers a consistent, validated clean in under two minutes, reducing rewash rates, improving CSSD throughput and significantly enhancing staff safety. By operating without chemicals and with low energy and water demand, the system also helps healthcare organisations reduce carbon emissions and resource consumption. Emerging inspection capabilities further support early identification of residual contamination before sterilisation.

Innovation:

Tiny Air’s core innovation is the automation and validation of surgical instrument pre-cleaning, replacing a highly variable manual task with a controlled, system-based process. Building on this platform, Tiny Air is developing an automated inspection solution designed to support consistent assessment of instrument cleanliness and reduce reliance on subjective visual checks. Together, these innovations help create a more reliable, data-supported decontamination pathway, reducing rework, protecting staff, extending instrument life and supporting more sustainable healthcare operations.

Future Direction:

Tiny Air’s future direction is focused on completing a more controlled and sustainable decontamination pathway. Alongside scaling adoption of its validated pre-cleaning technology, the company is advancing automated inspection to further reduce variability, rewash and downstream risk. Tiny Air is also expanding point-of-use deployment, reducing chemical and energy demand, and supporting healthcare providers in meeting net-zero and environmental targets. Through continued collaboration with clinical partners and responsible innovation, Tiny Air aims to help shape safer, more efficient and lower-carbon surgical services.