Thermo Fisher TSQ Quantum Ultra Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (Refurbished)

Overview

The Thermo Fisher TSQ Quantum Ultra is a high-performance, refurbished triple quadrupole liquid chromatography mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) engineered for precision quantitative analysis in regulated and research-intensive laboratories. Operating on the well-established Quantum platform architecture, it employs tandem quadrupole mass filtering—where Q1 selects precursor ions, Q2 serves as a collision cell for controlled fragmentation, and Q3 analyzes product ions—to deliver exceptional selectivity and reproducibility in complex matrix analysis. Its core design emphasizes robustness, sensitivity, and operational flexibility across diverse application domains including pharmaceutical bioanalysis, environmental contaminant screening, food safety testing, clinical toxicology, and forensic toxicology. The system integrates seamlessly with Thermo Scientific Accela UHPLC platforms and supports rapid method development without compromising chromatographic resolution.

Key Features

• Mass range of m/z 10–3000, enabling detection of small molecules, metabolites, peptides, and intact proteins.
• Up to 3000 timed-selected reaction monitoring (T-SRM) transitions per acquisition cycle—optimized for high-throughput multi-residue screening.
• Quantitative Enhanced Data-dependent MS/MS (QED-MS/MS): Simultaneously acquires targeted SRM data and triggered full-scan MS/MS spectra for structural confirmation within a single injection.
• High-Selectivity SRM (H-SRM) mode with 2-ms dwell time—minimizing cross-talk and enhancing signal-to-noise ratio at sub-pg/mL levels.
• Sub-25-millisecond polarity switching between positive and negative ion modes—critical for comprehensive analysis of compound classes with divergent ionization efficiencies.
• Zero-crosstalk collision cell design eliminates false-positive identification arising from residual precursor ion carryover.
• Thermo Scientific Ion Max source with heated electrospray ionization (HESI-II) probe ensures stable, low-drift ion generation across extended runs.
• FAIMS (High-Field Asymmetric Waveform Ion Mobility Spectrometry) compatibility provides an additional orthogonal separation dimension prior to mass analysis.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The TSQ Quantum Ultra accommodates a broad spectrum of sample types—from aqueous extracts and plasma digests to pesticide-spiked soil leachates and urine supernatants—without requiring hardware modification. It meets analytical requirements defined in key regulatory guidelines, including EPA Method 1694, FDA Guidance for Bioanalytical Method Validation, and EU Commission Decision 2002/657/EC for residue analysis. When deployed with validated software configurations (e.g., TraceFinder v5.0+ with audit trail enabled), the system supports compliance with 21 CFR Part 11, ISO/IEC 17025, and GLP/GMP documentation standards. Routine performance qualification (PQ) protocols align with ASTM E2918 and ICH Q2(R2) principles.

Software & Data Management

Data acquisition and processing are managed through Thermo Scientific TraceFinder (for targeted quantitation and library searching) and QuanBrowser (for manual review and integration). Both applications support customizable reporting templates, automated calibration curve fitting (linear, quadratic, weighted), and integrated spectral library matching against NIST, mzCloud, or user-built libraries. Raw data files (.raw) are stored in vendor-neutral formats compatible with third-party tools such as Skyline and OpenMS. Audit trail functionality records all parameter changes, result modifications, and user logins—essential for laboratory accreditation and regulatory submissions.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical: PK/PD studies, metabolite identification support, impurity profiling, and dissolution testing.
• Environmental: Quantification of pharmaceuticals, PFAS, pesticides, and endocrine disruptors in wastewater, surface water, and sediment.
• Food Safety: Multi-analyte screening of veterinary drug residues, mycotoxins, allergens, and adulterants in meat, dairy, grains, and infant formula.
• Clinical Research: Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), newborn screening biomarkers, and steroid hormone profiling.
• Forensics: Rapid identification and quantification of drugs of abuse, novel psychoactive substances (NPS), and toxicological markers in blood and hair.

FAQ

Is this instrument fully refurbished and tested prior to shipment?
Yes. Each unit undergoes comprehensive functional validation—including mass calibration, sensitivity verification using standard compounds (e.g., reserpine, caffeine), detector linearity assessment, and vacuum integrity checks—per Thermo Fisher’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM) service protocols.
Does the system include software licenses and maintenance support?
Standard configuration includes perpetual licenses for TraceFinder and QuanBrowser. Extended warranty and annual service contracts are available upon request and subject to regional availability.
Can the TSQ Quantum Ultra be upgraded with modern accessories such as FAIMS Pro or EASY-IC?
Yes—hardware interfaces and firmware support integration with current-generation Thermo Scientific add-ons, provided mechanical mounting and power requirements are verified during pre-installation assessment.
What LC systems are recommended for optimal performance?
Thermo Scientific Accela UHPLC and Vanquish Flex systems are natively supported. Compatibility with Waters ACQUITY and Agilent 1290 Infinity II is confirmed via standard ESI interface configurations.
Is training included with purchase?
On-site or remote operator training (8–16 hours) is offered as an optional service package and covers method setup, maintenance routines, troubleshooting, and regulatory documentation practices.