Waters Xevo TQ-S Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (Refurbished)

Overview

The Waters Xevo TQ-S is a high-performance, triple quadrupole liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) system engineered for demanding quantitative bioanalysis, regulated environmental testing, food safety monitoring, forensic toxicology, and pharmaceutical ADME studies. Operating on the principle of tandem mass spectrometry—where precursor ions are selected in Q1, fragmented in a pressurized collision cell (Q2), and product ions are analyzed in Q3—the Xevo TQ-S delivers exceptional specificity, dynamic range, and reproducibility in complex matrices. Its core innovation lies in the StepWave™ ion optics architecture: a patented off-axis ion transmission pathway that minimizes neutral noise and space-charge effects while maximizing ion transmission efficiency. This design enables sub-femtogram-level detection limits under UPLC-compatible acquisition speeds, supporting both high-throughput screening and low-abundance analyte quantification without compromising robustness.

Key Features

• StepWave™ Ion Optics: A field-tuned, stacked-ring ion guide operating off-axis to suppress chemical noise and enhance signal-to-noise ratios—particularly critical for trace-level quantitation in biological fluids and environmental extracts.
• ScanWave™ Collision Cell Technology: Enables rapid, duty-cycle-optimized MRM transitions at up to 500+ transitions per second while maintaining full-scan MS/MS spectral fidelity for structural confirmation.
• RADAR™ Acquisition Mode: Simultaneously acquires quantitative MRM data for target analytes and full-scan MS/MS spectra for untargeted components—providing contextual matrix information without method re-injection.
• Modular Ion Source Design: Supports ESI, APCI, APPI, and ESCi configurations via interchangeable source modules; optimized for compatibility with nano-, micro-, and analytical-scale UPLC flows (50 nL/min–2 mL/min).
• Robust Vacuum Architecture: Dual-pump turbomolecular vacuum system with active pressure regulation ensures stable operation across extended batch runs and variable ambient conditions.
• Refurbishment Protocol: Each unit undergoes comprehensive functional validation—including mass calibration, resolution verification, sensitivity assessment (using reserpine and caffeine standards), detector linearity testing, and system suitability checks per ASTM D7896-22 and USP <1225> guidelines.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Xevo TQ-S accommodates diverse sample types—from plasma, urine, and tissue homogenates to soil extracts, food digests, and water concentrates—without requiring hardware modification. Its wide linear dynamic range (up to 5 orders of magnitude) and low carryover (<0.001%) support compliance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 method validation requirements. When operated with MassLynx and TargetLynx software, the system supports audit-trail-enabled workflows compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11, EU Annex 11, and ICH M10 guidelines for bioanalytical method validation. Routine performance qualification includes daily tuning, lock-mass correction (for internal standard referencing), and scheduled calibration verification—ensuring consistent data integrity across GLP and GMP environments.

Software & Data Management

Data acquisition and processing leverage Waters’ MassLynx v4.2+ platform, integrated with TargetLynx XS for automated peak integration, QuanLynx for multi-analyte calibration curve generation, and UNIFI Scientific Information System for enterprise-scale metadata management. All software modules enforce role-based access control, electronic signatures, and immutable audit trails. Raw data files (.raw) are stored in vendor-neutral formats compatible with third-party tools (e.g., Skyline, OpenMS) for secondary analysis. Automated report generation supports customizable templates aligned with regulatory submission formats (e.g., FDA eCTD, EMA CTD).

Applications

• Quantitative pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic studies in preclinical and clinical development
• Residue analysis of pesticides, veterinary drugs, and mycotoxins in food and feed matrices
• Screening and confirmation of illicit drugs, metabolites, and novel psychoactive substances in forensic casework
• Endocrine disruptor profiling and persistent organic pollutant (POP) quantification in wastewater and sediment
• Metabolite identification and structural elucidation via triggered MS^E-style acquisition
• High-sensitivity immunoaffinity-enriched peptide quantification in biomarker discovery workflows

FAQ

Is this a factory-refurbished unit or dealer-refurbished?
All systems are refurbished by Waters-certified service engineers following OEM-recommended procedures, including replacement of consumables (ion guides, cones, detector), firmware updates, and full IQ/OQ documentation.
What validation documentation is provided with the instrument?
A complete set of installation qualification (IQ), operational qualification (OQ), and performance qualification (PQ) reports is delivered—including sensitivity, mass accuracy, resolution, and retention time stability test results against certified reference standards.
Can the system be upgraded to support UNIFI or modern MassLynx versions?
Yes—hardware compatibility with MassLynx v4.3 and UNIFI v2.0+ is confirmed; upgrade paths include licensed software bundles and optional high-resolution detector modules.
Does the system include a UPLC module?
The LC-MS/MS configuration is modular: Xevo TQ-S is typically paired with ACQUITY UPLC H-Class or I-Class systems; LC modules are quoted separately based on flow rate, gradient capability, and autosampler specifications.
What post-purchase support options are available?
Waters PlatinumCare™ extended service contracts, remote diagnostics, application support webinars, and on-site method transfer assistance are available upon request.