Thermo Fisher TSQ Altis Plus Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (Domestically Manufactured in Shanghai)

Overview

The Thermo Fisher TSQ Altis Plus Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) is a high-performance, domestically manufactured tandem mass spectrometry platform engineered for robust, high-sensitivity targeted quantitative analysis. Built on the proven triple quadrupole architecture, the system operates via electrospray ionization (ESI) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), enabling selective fragmentation of precursor ions in Q1, collision-induced dissociation (CID) in the pressurized RF-only Q2 collision cell, and mass-resolved detection of product ions in Q3. This configuration delivers exceptional specificity and reproducibility for quantitative workflows across regulated and discovery environments. Designed and assembled at Thermo Fisher’s Shanghai manufacturing facility under stringent quality control protocols aligned with ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 standards, the TSQ Altis Plus maintains full hardware and software compatibility with global Thermo Fisher LC-MS platforms—ensuring seamless method transfer, data comparability, and long-term service continuity.

Key Features

• High-sensitivity triple quadrupole architecture optimized for low-abundance analyte detection in complex biological, environmental, and food matrices
• Enhanced instrument stability achieved through thermally regulated ion optics, vacuum system redundancy, and real-time pressure monitoring—supporting >95% uptime in routine 24/7 operation
• Ultra-fast SRM (Selected Reaction Monitoring) acquisition with dwell times down to 1 ms and cycle times 100 transitions per run without compromising duty cycle efficiency
• High-selectivity SRM (H-SRM) mode with 0.2 Da full width at half maximum (FWHM) mass resolution in both Q1 and Q3, significantly improving signal-to-noise ratio for co-eluting isobaric interferences
• Integrated source design supporting ESI, APCI, and optional HESI-II (heated electrospray) for broad compound coverage across polar, thermolabile, and non-volatile analytes
• Modular front-end compatibility with UltiMate 3000 UHPLC, Vanquish Flex UHPLC, and Dionex ICS-600 HPIC systems for seamless hyphenated analysis

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The TSQ Altis Plus accommodates diverse sample types—including plasma, serum, urine, tissue homogenates, plant extracts, water, soil digests, and processed food matrices—via standard autosampler vials (2 mL, 96-well, or 384-well formats) and direct infusion interfaces. Its ion source geometry and declustering potential optimization enable consistent performance across small molecules (<1,000 Da), peptides, and modified nucleotides. The system meets essential regulatory requirements for GLP, GMP, and clinical laboratory settings: full audit trail functionality compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11, electronic signature support, and IQ/OQ/PQ documentation packages available. It supports method validation per ICH M10 and ASTM D7968 guidelines for environmental residue analysis, as well as USP <1225> for pharmaceutical impurity quantitation.

Software & Data Management

Controlled by Thermo Scientific Chromeleon Chromatography Data System (CDS) 7.3 or later, the TSQ Altis Plus integrates native support for QuantStudio Software for automated calibration, peak integration, and batch processing. All acquisition and processing methods are stored in a centralized, version-controlled database with time-stamped metadata. Raw data files (.raw) adhere to the open mzML format, ensuring interoperability with third-party tools including Skyline, OpenMS, and Compound Discoverer. Instrument diagnostics, maintenance logs, and calibration history are automatically archived with user-defined retention policies, facilitating internal audits and external regulatory inspections.

Applications

• Clinical toxicology: Quantitative analysis of drugs of abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), and endogenous biomarkers in human biofluids
• Pharmaceutical development: Impurity profiling, stability-indicating assays, and pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in preclinical and clinical phases
• Food safety: Multi-residue screening of pesticides, veterinary drugs, mycotoxins, and allergenic proteins per EU SANTE/11312/2021 and USDA FSIS directives
• Environmental analysis: Detection of PFAS, pharmaceuticals in wastewater, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) at sub-ppt levels
• Academic and government research: Targeted metabolomics, lipidomics, and exposome studies requiring high-precision absolute quantification

FAQ

Is the TSQ Altis Plus fully compatible with Thermo Fisher global software and method libraries?
Yes—the instrument shares identical firmware architecture, spectral libraries (e.g., NIST, mzCloud), and method templates with globally distributed TSQ Altis systems.
Does domestic manufacturing in Shanghai affect compliance with international regulatory standards?
No—Shanghai production adheres to Thermo Fisher’s global quality management system, including ISO 13485 for medical device-related applications and ISO/IEC 17025 for accredited testing laboratories.
Can the system be upgraded to support advanced features such as polarity switching or scheduled SRM?
Yes—hardware and software upgrades are supported via authorized service channels, including polarity-switching capability and dynamic MRM™ scheduling for improved chromatographic peak fidelity.
What level of technical support and service coverage is provided for domestically manufactured units?
Comprehensive local service is available through Thermo Fisher’s Shanghai-based Field Application Scientists and certified service engineers, with SLA-backed response times and spare parts logistics aligned with APAC regional standards.