Thermo Fisher LCQ Duo Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer (Refurbished)
| Brand | Thermo Fisher |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | LCQ Duo |
| Product Category | Mass Spectrometer |
| Usage Duration | 4 Years |
| Warranty Period | 6 Months |
| Instrument Type | LC-MS System (LCQ Duo + Surveyor HPLC) |
Overview
The Thermo Fisher LCQ Duo Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer is a benchtop liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) system engineered for robust qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis in academic, pharmaceutical, and contract research laboratory environments. Based on electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) sources coupled with a dual-stage quadrupole ion trap mass analyzer, the LCQ Duo enables MSn capability up to n = 3, supporting structural elucidation of small molecules, metabolites, peptides, and natural products. Its integrated architecture pairs the LCQ Duo mass spectrometer with the Thermo Surveyor HPLC platform—providing reliable gradient delivery, precise flow control, and seamless interface synchronization. This refurbished unit has undergone full functional validation at SpectraLab Scientific’s ISO 9001-certified refurbishment facility, including vacuum integrity verification, mass calibration across m/z 50–2000, ESI source performance testing, and chromatographic baseline stability assessment.
Key Features
- Dual-stage ion trap design enabling rapid, high-sensitivity MSn experiments with real-time spectral averaging and dynamic exclusion
- Integrated ESI/APCI dual-ion source with heated capillary interface and adjustable sheath gas flow for enhanced ion transmission
- Surveyor MS Pump and AS Autosampler providing flow precision ≤ ±0.1% RSD and injection repeatability < 0.5% RSD
- Onboard Xcalibur 2.0.x software suite supporting method development, data acquisition, and basic spectral interpretation
- Refurbished and requalified per Thermo Fisher-recommended maintenance protocols—including detector gain optimization, RF amplitude recalibration, and ion optics cleaning
- Comprehensive hardware inspection: turbomolecular pump performance verified, transfer line integrity confirmed, and front-end electronics validated
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The LCQ Duo accommodates standard 2–4.6 mm i.d. analytical columns and supports reversed-phase, HILIC, and ion-pairing chromatographic modes. It is routinely deployed for applications requiring compliance with GLP documentation standards and internal QA/QC workflows aligned with ASTM E2687 (Standard Guide for Validation of LC-MS Systems) and USP Chromatography. While not configured for 21 CFR Part 11–compliant audit trails out-of-the-box, the system can be upgraded with Xcalibur 2.2 or later and validated electronic signatures upon customer request. All refurbished units include a Certificate of Requalification documenting calibration dates, test parameters, and pass/fail criteria per ICH Q2(R2) guidelines for instrument qualification.
Software & Data Management
Controlled via Thermo Xcalibur software (v2.0.7 SR2 or higher), the system supports acquisition methods with scheduled polarity switching, data-dependent MS/MS triggering, and retention time locking. Raw data files (.RAW) are compatible with open-source tools including ProteoWizard and Skyline for downstream processing. SpectraLab provides post-delivery support for software reinstallation, license transfer coordination (where permitted under Thermo’s End User License Agreement), and configuration of instrument method templates tailored to common workflows—e.g., pesticide residue screening, impurity profiling, or peptide mapping. Local data storage utilizes standard NTFS-formatted drives; networked archive integration with LIMS systems is achievable via FTP or shared folder mapping.
Applications
- Metabolite identification in preclinical ADME studies
- Impurity characterization per ICH Q3B(R2) guidelines
- Peptide sequencing and post-translational modification analysis
- Environmental contaminant screening (e.g., PAHs, PCBs, pharmaceuticals in wastewater)
- Natural product dereplication and structural annotation
- Method development and transfer for QC release testing
FAQ
Is this LCQ Duo unit eligible for extended warranty or service contracts?
Yes—SpectraLab offers optional 12- or 24-month extended service agreements covering parts, labor, and remote diagnostics, subject to pre-delivery system health review.
Does the system include original Thermo Fisher documentation and spare parts?
All units ship with scanned copies of the original operator manuals, safety guides, and a validated spare parts kit containing ESI needles, capillary tubing, O-rings, and ion trap cleaning tools.
Can the LCQ Duo be interfaced with third-party HPLC systems?
Yes—the MS interface uses standard analog/digital I/O signals and RS-232 communication; integration with Agilent 1200/1260 or Waters Acquity systems requires minor cabling and timing parameter adjustment.
What consumables are recommended for routine operation?
Recommended consumables include Thermo Scientific AccuFlow ESI tips, Surveyor PEEK tubing (0.005″ ID), and LCQ-specific ion trap cleaning solutions—available through SpectraLab’s consumables portal with bulk pricing.
Is source tuning and mass calibration performed before shipment?
Yes—each unit undergoes full source tuning using caffeine, MRFA, and Ultramark 1621 standards, followed by linear mass calibration across three decades (m/z 100–2000) with ≤ 0.2 Da mass accuracy verified pre-shipment.
