Microlit KENO PRO — Bench-Top Vacuum Aspirator for Laboratory Waste Management

Microlit KENO PRO — Precision Vacuum Aspiration for the Modern Laboratory

The Microlit KENO PRO vacuum aspirator represents a new generation of bench-top liquid aspiration systems, combining advanced engineering with a user-centric design philosophy. Developed for laboratories that require reliable, reproducible and biosafe waste removal, KENO PRO addresses the critical needs of cell culture, microbiology, molecular biology, pharmaceutical quality control and routine laboratory liquid waste management.

Key Features

High-Efficiency Vacuum System with Brushless DC Motor

At the core of the KENO PRO is a maintenance-free brushless DC motor that drives a high-efficiency vacuum pump. The system generates a continuously adjustable vacuum in the range of 0 to −850 mbar, allowing the operator to precisely fine-tune suction intensity for each specific application — from the gentle aspiration of fragile cell monolayers to the rapid removal of spent culture media or viscous biological fluids. Maximum air flow rate reaches 15 L/min, while liquid flow rate ranges from 23 to 40 mL/s, ensuring rapid and controlled waste removal.

Operating noise remains below 65 dB at a distance of 1 m even at maximum vacuum, making KENO PRO well-suited for open-plan laboratory environments, biosafety cabinets and shared research spaces.

Intelligent Liquid Level Sensor and Automatic Shut-Off

KENO PRO integrates an electronic liquid level detection system that continuously monitors the fill status of the polypropylene collection bottle. When the bottle approaches maximum capacity, the system triggers an automatic shut-off, immediately halting aspiration. This mechanism prevents overflow events, eliminates the risk of liquid ingress into the pump and protects the operator from exposure to potentially hazardous biological waste.

Self-Closing Quick Coupling — Closed System Aspiration

The KENO PRO features patented self-closing CPC in-line valve connectors (PVDF construction) on the collection bottle lid. These couplings maintain a permanently closed aspiration circuit during both connection and disconnection of tubing, effectively preventing the escape of droplets and aerosols. This design is essential for maintaining biosafety in workflows involving infectious agents, cytotoxic compounds or volatile biological media.

Eco-Control — Intelligent Energy and Noise Management

The proprietary Eco-Control system dynamically adjusts pump operating speed in response to actual aspiration demand. By avoiding unnecessary full-speed operation, Eco-Control reduces electrical energy consumption, decreases thermal load on the motor and significantly lowers ambient noise levels during routine use. This function extends the operational lifespan of the instrument while contributing to a more comfortable and productive working environment.

Ergonomic Design and Workspace Integration

The compact footprint of KENO PRO minimises bench space occupation and allows direct placement inside laminar flow hoods and biosafety cabinets. The fence-style ergonomic bottle holder prevents accidental tipping of the collection bottle during aspiration, ensuring stability even on crowded laboratory benches.

Polypropylene collection bottles (2 L and 4 L) are chemically resistant to a broad range of aqueous biological media, saline solutions and common laboratory reagents. The 4 L model includes a bottle lifter (K-BL) for safe and ergonomic handling. All wetted components are autoclavable, facilitating standard laboratory sterilisation protocols.

Universal Power Supply

KENO PRO is powered via an included adapter supporting a universal input voltage of 100–240 VAC, converting to a DC output of 24 V / 1.2 A. This ensures full compatibility with power infrastructure across European laboratories without the need for additional transformers.

Applications

• Removal of supernatant after centrifugation (microtubes, conical tubes, deep-well plates)
• Aspiration of spent culture media from T-flasks, multi-well plates (24-well, 96-well formats)
• Laboratory bench-top spill clean-up
• Waste collection in microbiology and cell biology workflows
• Pharmaceutical quality control and molecular biology liquid waste management

Material Compatibility and Safety Notes

• Recommended tubing: Silicone or EPDM
• Avoid exposure to corrosive gases: H₂S, SO₂, NO₂, Cl₂, formaldehyde vapours
• Avoid disinfectant gases that may degrade motor performance
• Polypropylene bottles are resistant to a wide range of aqueous biological media, saline solutions and common laboratory solvents

Certifications and Quality

The Microlit KENO PRO is CE certified and manufactured under a quality management system compliant with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 13485 (medical devices) and ISO 17025. The instrument carries IP41 protection, safeguarding the electronics against dust ingress and vertical water dripping. Microlit, established in 1991, serves over 8,000 customers in more than 95 countries.