Waters Xevo TQ-XS Triple Quadrupole LC-MS/MS System (Rental)

Overview

The Waters Xevo TQ-XS Triple Quadrupole LC-MS/MS System (Rental) is a high-performance, regulatory-compliant tandem mass spectrometry platform engineered for demanding quantitative bioanalysis, environmental monitoring, food safety testing, and pharmaceutical quality control. Built upon Waters’ proven StepWave ion optics and optimized for ultra-low detection limits in complex matrices, the system operates on the principle of electrospray ionization (ESI) or alternative atmospheric pressure ionization techniques coupled with triple quadrupole mass filtering—where Q1 isolates precursor ions, Q2 induces collision-induced dissociation (CID), and Q3 selects specific product ions for highly selective multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). This architecture delivers ppt-level sensitivity, exceptional reproducibility across batch sequences, and robustness under continuous operation—making it ideal for laboratories requiring validated, high-throughput quantitation without capital expenditure.

Key Features

• Sub-ppt sensitivity in MRM mode with <5% RSD over 24-hour sequence stability, enabled by low-noise, off-axis photomultiplier detector and enhanced ion transmission via StepWave optics
• 500 MRM transitions per second capability supports multi-analyte panels (e.g., >100 compounds in a single run) while maintaining dwell times ≥10 ms for optimal signal-to-noise ratio
• Full compatibility with Waters’ ACQUITY UPLC platforms—including ACQUITY Premier (low carryover, high resolution), ACQUITY UPLC M-Class (nanoLC), and APGC (atmospheric pressure gas chromatography)—ensuring method transfer flexibility and retention time reproducibility
• Integrated ion source versatility: native support for ESI, APCI, APGC, ASAP, ESCi, NanoFlow, UniSpray, and ionKey microflow interfaces—enabling seamless transition between polar/nonpolar analytes and flow-rate regimes (1–2000 µL/min)
• Regulatory-ready software stack: MassLynx v4.2 with Transaction Logging (TL), waters_connect for centralized instrument management, and built-in 21 CFR Part 11 compliance features including electronic signatures, role-based access control, and immutable audit trails

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Xevo TQ-XS accommodates diverse sample types—including plasma, serum, urine, tissue homogenates, soil extracts, beverage matrices, and polymer leachates—without hardware modification. Its wide mass range (2–2048 m/z) supports small molecules, peptides, metabolites, and certain adducts. The system meets analytical requirements defined in ISO/IEC 17025, ASTM D7089, USP <1225>, and ICH M10 guidelines for bioanalytical method validation. All factory-installed configurations include full documentation packages (IQ/OQ/PQ templates, installation certificates) to facilitate GxP audits and laboratory accreditation processes.

Software & Data Management

Data acquisition and processing are managed through MassLynx v4.2 with TargetLynx XS quantitative modules, offering automated peak integration, calibration curve fitting (linear/log-linear with weighting), and outlier detection per ICH Q2(R2). waters_connect enables remote monitoring, predictive maintenance alerts, and centralized reporting across multi-instrument environments. Raw data files (.raw) are natively compatible with third-party tools including Skyline (for DIA/SRM assay development) and commercial LIMS via ODBC or XML-based APIs. Audit trail functionality records all user actions—including parameter edits, reprocessing events, and report generation—with timestamped, non-erasable entries compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Annex 11 and EU GMP Annex 11 requirements.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical: PK/PD studies, impurity profiling, extractable/leachable analysis, and stability-indicating assays per ICH Q5C/Q5D
• Clinical Research: Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), endogenous biomarker quantification (e.g., steroids, vitamins, neurotransmitters), and newborn screening panels
• Environmental: Pesticide residue analysis in crops, PFAS detection in water, and dioxin/furan congener quantification in sediment
• Food & Agriculture: Mycotoxin screening, veterinary drug residues, adulterant detection (e.g., melamine), and nutritional compound verification
• Forensics: Toxicology screening for opioids, stimulants, and novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in biological fluids

FAQ

What rental terms are available for the Xevo TQ-XS system?
We offer three structured options: short-term lease (1–6 months, ideal for project-based work), rent-to-own (with credit applied toward purchase), and lease-to-own (title transfer upon final payment, with tax-advantaged depreciation treatment).
Is method validation support included?
Yes—rental packages may include optional application support from Waters-certified scientists, including method transfer assistance, system suitability testing, and IQ/OQ documentation guidance.
Can the system be integrated into an existing LIMS environment?
Absolutely—the MassLynx platform provides certified LIMS connectors and supports custom API integrations for automated result ingestion, instrument status polling, and electronic signature workflows.
What level of service coverage is provided during the lease term?
All rentals include comprehensive warranty coverage, priority remote diagnostics, and on-site engineer dispatch within 4 business hours for critical failures—aligned with Waters’ PlatinumCare SLA standards.
Are consumables and maintenance kits included?
Standard consumables (e.g., ESI tips, column frits, pump seals) are customer-responsible; however, preventive maintenance kits and scheduled PM visits can be added as optional service add-ons.