Agilent 6224 Accurate-Mass Time-of-Flight (TOF) LC/MS System
| Brand | Agilent Technologies |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Model | 6224 |
| Instrument Type | Mass Spectrometer |
| Usage Duration | 3–4 years |
| Warranty | 6 months |
| Configuration | Fully Tested and Refurbished LC/MS System |
| Compliance | Designed for GLP/GMP- and FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compatible workflows |
Overview
The Agilent 6224 Accurate-Mass Time-of-Flight (TOF) LC/MS System is a high-performance, refurbished liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry platform engineered for precise mass measurement with sub-ppm mass accuracy and high mass resolution. Based on orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight (oa-TOF) mass analysis, the system delivers true accurate-mass detection across a wide dynamic range (m/z 50–17,000), enabling confident elemental composition determination for both small molecules (e.g., pharmaceuticals, metabolites, environmental contaminants) and intact biomolecules (e.g., peptides, monoclonal antibody fragments, glycopeptides). The 6224 integrates seamlessly with Agilent’s 1200/1290 Series HPLC systems and employs dual-spray ionization sources—including electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI)—to support broad compound polarity coverage. Its design emphasizes robustness, reproducibility, and compatibility with regulated laboratory environments requiring audit trails, electronic signatures, and data integrity compliance.
Key Features
- Accurate-mass TOF analyzer with 20,000 resolving power (FWHM at m/z 600)
- High-speed acquisition capability: up to 50 spectra per second in full-scan mode, supporting UHPLC peak fidelity
- Dual-ion source configuration (ESI/APCI) with active desolvation gas control and temperature-regulated interface
- Full-scan MS/MS functionality via in-source fragmentation—no collision cell required—enabling rapid structural screening without method re-optimization
- Integrated Agilent MassHunter Workstation software with real-time deconvolution, formula prediction (Elemental Composition Finder), and library search capabilities
- Refurbished and performance-verified per Agilent-recommended protocols; includes full system validation report and instrument qualification documentation
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The 6224 supports diverse sample matrices including plasma, urine, tissue extracts, fermentation broths, and purified protein formulations. It accommodates standard 2.1 mm and 4.6 mm ID analytical columns, as well as micro- and nano-LC configurations. All hardware and firmware are fully compatible with international regulatory frameworks: data acquisition and processing comply with ALCOA+ principles, and MassHunter software supports 21 CFR Part 11-compliant user access controls, electronic signatures, and immutable audit trails. The system meets requirements for GLP-compliant toxicology studies (OECD 417, OECD 429), ICH M7 mutagenic impurity screening, and USP Analytical Instrument Qualification (AIQ) protocols. Full IQ/OQ documentation packages are available upon request.
Software & Data Management
Agilent MassHunter Acquisition and Qualitative Analysis software provides comprehensive control over TOF acquisition parameters, real-time spectral processing, and post-run database searching. Key modules include Personal Compound Database and Library (PCDL) with >2,500 toxicologically relevant compounds and >600 veterinary drug entries—both searchable via exact mass, retention time, and isotopic pattern matching. Quantitative workflows leverage MassHunter Quantitative Analysis with internal standard calibration, matrix-matched calibration curves, and integrated QC reporting. Raw data files (.d format) are stored in vendor-neutral, open-accessible formats compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 data archiving standards. Backup, versioning, and network-based deployment are supported through optional MassHunter Server Edition.
Applications
- Drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK): identification of phase I/II metabolites in biological matrices
- Impurity profiling and forced degradation studies under ICH Q5/Q3 guidelines
- Intact mass analysis and higher-order structure assessment of biologics (e.g., mAbs, ADCs, fusion proteins)
- Toxicological screening in forensic, clinical, and environmental laboratories using PCDL-driven workflows
- Non-targeted metabolomics and exposomics research with untargeted feature detection and statistical filtering (e.g., PCA, OPLS-DA)
- Quality control of natural products and herbal extracts via fingerprinting and marker compound verification
FAQ
Is this unit factory-refurbished or third-party refurbished?
This Agilent 6224 system has undergone comprehensive refurbishment by an Agilent-authorized service partner, including replacement of critical wear components (ion optics, detector, vacuum gauges), recalibration against NIST-traceable standards, and full functional validation per Agilent’s Service Technical Bulletin 6224-01.
What documentation accompanies the instrument?
Each system ships with a Certificate of Performance Verification, IQ/OQ checklist, maintenance log, and complete MassHunter software license (perpetual, transferable, with active support subscription option).
Can the system be integrated into an existing LIMS environment?
Yes—the 6224 supports ASTM E1384-compliant data export (XML, CSV, mzML) and can be configured for direct LIMS integration via Agilent OpenLab CDS or third-party middleware with HL7/ODBC interfaces.
Does the 6-month warranty cover parts, labor, and on-site service?
The warranty includes all parts, labor, and remote diagnostics; on-site service is available within 48 business hours in North America and EU regions under extended service plan options.
Are consumables and spare parts still available from Agilent?
All original Agilent consumables—including ESI needles, nebulizer gases, calibration standards (e.g., Tuning Mix G1969-85000), and source cleaning kits—remain in active production and are fully supported through Agilent’s global distribution network.
