Waters ACQUITY UPLC I-Class PLUS / Xevo TQ-Loong Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry System

Overview

The Waters ACQUITY UPLC I-Class PLUS / Xevo TQ-Loong System is a fully integrated ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry platform engineered for quantitative bioanalysis, clinical assay development, and targeted metabolomics. It combines Waters’ industry-standard ACQUITY UPLC I-Class PLUS separation module—featuring low-dispersion flow paths, sub-2-µm particle chromatography, and nanogram-level injection precision—with the Xevo TQ-Loong triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, co-developed by Waters and KHB to meet regional regulatory expectations and workflow requirements in clinical diagnostics and translational research. The system operates on electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) sources, enabling robust, reproducible quantification across diverse compound classes including small-molecule therapeutics, endogenous biomarkers, vitamins, steroids, and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) analytes. Its architecture supports gradient elution down to 5 µL/min flow rates, column temperatures up to 100 °C, and dwell times configurable at the millisecond level—critical for high-throughput, multi-analyte LC-MS/MS workflows.

Key Features

• UHPLC Module: ACQUITY UPLC I-Class PLUS with dual-gradient solvent manager, integrated sample manager-FTN (with needle wash and temperature control), and column oven supporting 0.03–2.0 mL/min flow range and ≤10 nL system volume.
• Mass Spectrometer: Xevo TQ-Loong triple quadrupole detector featuring unit-mass resolution in Q1 and Q3, collision cell with RF-only mode for enhanced transmission, and dynamic MRM™ acquisition for simultaneous quantification of >1,000 transitions per run.
• Ion Source Flexibility: Dual ESI/APCI probe with active desolvation gas control, heated probe tip (up to 650 °C), and real-time source optimization via IntelliStart™ calibration routines.
• Robustness Engineering: Sealed optical path, vacuum interlock system, and auto-tuning protocols reduce downtime and support unattended overnight operation.
• Regulatory Readiness: Preconfigured instrument method templates aligned with USP , CLIA, and ISO 15189 validation frameworks; hardware and firmware validated per IQ/OQ protocols.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The system accommodates biological matrices including plasma, serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), tissue homogenates, and cell lysates following standard protein precipitation, solid-phase extraction (SPE), or liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) sample preparation. Column compatibility spans C18, phenyl-hexyl, HILIC, and pentafluorophenyl (PFP) chemistries from 1.0 to 4.6 mm ID and 30–150 mm lengths. All hardware components comply with CE marking requirements under Directive 2014/30/EU (EMC) and 2014/35/EU (LVD). The system is designed to operate within ISO Class 7 cleanroom environments when deployed in clinical laboratory settings and meets mechanical safety standards per IEC 61010-1:2010.

Software & Data Management

Data acquisition and processing are performed using UNIFI Scientific Information System v2.0 or MassLynx v4.2, both supporting method-based workflow automation, peak integration with retention time alignment, and isotopic pattern matching. Audit trail functionality records all user actions—including method edits, calibration updates, and result reprocessing—with immutable timestamps and operator IDs. Electronic signature implementation conforms to FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements, including role-based access control, biometric or token-based authentication options, and encrypted database storage. Raw data files (.raw) are stored in vendor-neutral format compliant with ASTM E2524-06 metadata standards and interoperable with third-party platforms such as OpenMS and Skyline.

Applications

• Clinical toxicology screening and confirmation assays for opioids, benzodiazepines, amphetamines, and synthetic cannabinoids.
• Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of immunosuppressants (e.g., tacrolimus, cyclosporine), antiepileptics (e.g., valproic acid, lamotrigine), and antibiotics (e.g., vancomycin, gentamicin).
• Vitamin D metabolite profiling (25-OH-D2/D3, 1,25-(OH)₂-D3) and steroid hormone panels (cortisol, testosterone, estradiol) in serum and dried blood spots.
• Biomarker validation studies in oncology (e.g., tyrosine kinase inhibitor metabolites) and metabolic disease (acylcarnitines, bile acids, organic acids).
• Pharmaceutical quality control for residual solvent analysis and extractables/leachables profiling per ICH Q3C and Q5E guidelines.

FAQ

Is this system compatible with existing Waters UNIFI or MassLynx software licenses?
Yes—the Xevo TQ-Loong is fully supported in UNIFI v2.0 and MassLynx v4.2 with no additional licensing required for core acquisition and quantitation modules.
Does the system include validation documentation for clinical laboratory use?
A complete IQ/OQ package—including installation qualification checklists, operational test scripts, and performance verification reports—is provided upon delivery and can be extended to PQ support upon request.
Can the system be configured for remote monitoring and diagnostics?
The UPLC and MS modules support Ethernet-based remote status polling and diagnostic log export via Waters Connect™ web interface, compatible with enterprise IT infrastructure and SIEM integration.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for routine operation?
Source cleaning every 2 weeks under high-throughput clinical use; collision cell cleaning every 3 months; annual mass calibration and vacuum pump oil replacement per manufacturer service schedule.
Is training available for clinical laboratory personnel?
Waters and KHB jointly deliver on-site operator training covering method development, system suitability testing, QC batch processing, and 21 CFR Part 11 compliance reporting—delivered in English with bilingual (EN/CN) SOP documentation.