SCIEX API4000 Q-Trap Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometer (Refurbished)
| Brand | SCIEX |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Model | API4000 Q-Trap |
| Instrument Type | Hybrid Triple Quadrupole/Linear Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer |
| Mass Range | 5–2,000 m/z |
| Sensitivity | <10 fg on-column for reserpine (MRM, ESI+) |
| Resolution | Unit mass resolution in Q1 and Q3 |
| Mass Accuracy | ±0.2 Da (calibrated) |
| Scan Speed | Up to 6,000 Da/sec |
| Dynamic Range | 4 orders of magnitude (1–4 × 10⁶ cps) |
| Vacuum System | Dual-stage air-cooled turbomolecular pumps |
| Operating Temperature | 15–30 °C |
| Power Supply | 208–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz |
| Required Gases | High-purity nitrogen (≥99.999%), zero-air (oil-free, particle- and hydrocarbon-free compressed air) |
Overview
The SCIEX API4000 Q-Trap Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometer is a refurbished, rigorously reconditioned hybrid mass spectrometer combining triple quadrupole (QqQ) architecture with a linear ion trap (LIT) in a single collision cell. Engineered for quantitative precision and qualitative flexibility, it operates on electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) principles, delivering robust performance across regulated and discovery-driven workflows. Its core analytical strength lies in the integration of scheduled multiple reaction monitoring (sMRM™), information-dependent acquisition (IDA), and enhanced product ion (EPI) scanning—all enabled by the patented Linear Accelerator (LINAC™) collision cell. This design ensures high ion transmission efficiency, minimal memory effects, and consistent duty cycle performance even under high-throughput LC gradient conditions. The system is optimized for trace-level quantification in complex biological matrices and supports method development for structural elucidation, metabolite identification, and non-covalent interaction studies.
Key Features
- V-shaped TurboIon™ source with dual-heater configuration and optimized gas dynamics—enabling 1 mL/min LC flow compatibility without splitting and maintaining sub-fg sensitivity in MRM mode.
- Patented curtain gas technology and inert source materials significantly reduce ion suppression, carryover, and source contamination—extending routine uptime and reducing maintenance intervals.
- Plug-and-play interchangeable ESI and APCI probes—facilitating rapid method switching and minimizing instrument downtime during multi-analyte campaigns.
- LINAC™ collision cell architecture—providing uniform collision energy distribution, improved MRM dwell time reduction (down to 5 ms), and enhanced signal-to-noise ratios across wide dynamic ranges.
- Q0 collision-focused quadrupole—maximizing ion transmission from source to trap while preserving mass filtering fidelity prior to fragmentation.
- Pulse-counting detector with polarity-switching capability—supporting simultaneous positive/negative mode acquisition within a single run, critical for comprehensive residue or metabolite profiling.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The API4000 Q-Trap accommodates diverse sample types including plasma, serum, urine, tissue homogenates, environmental water extracts, food digests, and botanical matrices—compatible with reversed-phase, HILIC, and ion-pairing LC separations. It meets foundational requirements for GLP and GMP environments through audit-trail-enabled data handling (when paired with compliant software versions), and supports compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when deployed with appropriate electronic signature and access control configurations. Method validation aligns with ICH M10, USP , and ASTM D7622–19 guidelines for LC-MS/MS bioanalysis. Routine operation satisfies ISO/IEC 17025:2017 criteria for testing laboratories when integrated into documented quality management systems.
Software & Data Management
Controlled via Analyst® Software v1.7.2 or later, the system provides fully integrated acquisition, processing, and reporting modules—including Quantitation Browser, PeakView® for post-acquisition review, and MultiQuant™ for high-throughput batch analysis. All raw data files (.wiff) are stored in vendor-native format with embedded metadata (instrument parameters, calibration history, user logs). Audit trail functionality records operator actions, method modifications, and data reprocessing events—enabling full traceability per regulatory expectations. Export options include CSV, XML, and mzML for third-party informatics platforms (e.g., Skyline, Compound Discoverer). Data integrity safeguards include write-protected acquisition folders, checksum verification, and automated backup scheduling.
Applications
- Pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic studies—supporting GLP-compliant ADME assays in preclinical and clinical phases.
- Clinical toxicology screening—quantifying drugs of abuse, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and opioids in human whole blood and oral fluid.
- Residue analysis in food and environmental samples—validated for EU SANTE/11312/2021 and USDA FSIS methods targeting pesticides, veterinary drugs, and mycotoxins.
- Natural product characterization—structural confirmation of flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids from herbal extracts using MS³ capabilities in the ion trap.
- Peptide mapping and PTM analysis—leveraging EPI scans for sequence coverage and neutral loss-triggered MS³ for phosphorylation site localization.
- Non-covalent interaction studies—preserving labile complexes (e.g., protein-ligand, DNA-drug) under gentle desolvation conditions with optimized declustering potentials.
FAQ
Is this a factory-refurbished unit or dealer-reconditioned?
This instrument has undergone certified refurbishment by an authorized SCIEX service partner, including full mechanical inspection, vacuum system rebuild, ion optics cleaning and alignment, detector recalibration, and firmware/software validation against original OEM specifications.
What documentation accompanies the system?
Each unit ships with a complete refurbishment certificate, updated service logbook, IQ/OQ protocol summary, and calibration report covering mass accuracy, sensitivity (reserpine MRM), and retention time stability.
Can the system be validated for 21 CFR Part 11 compliance?
Yes—when installed with Analyst® Software v1.7.2+ and configured with role-based user accounts, electronic signatures, and audit trail activation, it meets technical prerequisites for Part 11 compliance; final validation remains the responsibility of the end-user’s QA department.
What LC systems are compatible?
The API4000 Q-Trap interfaces seamlessly with all major UHPLC/HPLC platforms—including SCIEX ExionLC™, Waters Acquity UPLC®, Thermo Vanquish™, and Agilent 1290 Infinity II—via standard analog/digital I/O and software drivers.
Does the refurbishment include warranty and post-installation support?
A 12-month comprehensive parts-and-labor warranty is included, along with remote diagnostics support and optional on-site application assistance for method transfer or optimization.
