Waters Micromass Quattro Premier XE LC/MS/MS System with UPLC Integration
| Brand | Waters |
|---|---|
| Origin | Canada |
| Instrument Type | Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometer (LC/MS/MS) |
| Configuration | UPLC-Coupled |
| Age | 5–7 years |
| Warranty | 6 months |
| Regulatory Compliance | Fully refurbished to meet ISO/IEC 17025-aligned operational standards |
| Software | MassLynx 4.1 or later, with validated acquisition and processing modules |
| Included Hardware | Binary Solvent Manager, Sample Manager with integrated column oven, Acquity PDA detector, Sample Organizer (optional), dedicated PC workstation |
Overview
The Waters Micromass Quattro Premier XE LC/MS/MS is a high-performance, triple quadrupole mass spectrometry system engineered for quantitative and qualitative analysis of small molecules in complex matrices. Designed for seamless integration with Waters ACQUITY UPLC platforms, it leverages electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) sources to deliver robust sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility across pharmaceutical, environmental, clinical, and food safety applications. The Quattro Premier XE employs a proven RF-only collision cell architecture with optimized ion transmission efficiency and low-noise detection electronics—enabling sub-pg/mL limit-of-quantitation (LOQ) performance in validated bioanalytical workflows. Its modular design supports routine operation under GLP and GMP environments, with hardware and software components traceable to original factory specifications.
Key Features
- Triple quadrupole mass analyzer with unit-mass resolution in Q1 and Q3, and collision-induced dissociation (CID) in the intermediate quadrupole (Q2)
- UPLC-compatible interface with low-dead-volume connections, supporting gradient elution at pressures up to 15,000 psi
- Dual ionization source capability: interchangeable ESI and APCI probes with automatic source switching and real-time optimization
- High-speed polarity switching (≤ 500 ms) for simultaneous positive/negative mode acquisition within a single run
- Dynamic range exceeding 4 orders of magnitude with <0.5% relative standard deviation (RSD) for replicate injections
- Refurbished mechanical vacuum system including turbomolecular pump and backing pump, verified for base pressure stability (<5 × 10⁻⁷ mbar)
- Factory-calibrated mass axis accuracy (±0.1 Da) and retention time reproducibility (RSD < 0.3% over 24 h)
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Quattro Premier XE accommodates liquid samples introduced via autosampler injection into reversed-phase, HILIC, or ion-exchange UPLC columns (1.7–2.1 µm particle size). It supports direct infusion, flow injection, and online solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupling. All refurbished units undergo full functional verification per Waters Service Protocol SP-1287, including mass calibration, sensitivity tuning (using reserpine and caffeine), and system suitability testing (SST) with USP/EP-compliant criteria. Documentation includes Certificate of Refurbishment, IQ/OQ summary reports, and audit-ready maintenance logs compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures.
Software & Data Management
The system ships with MassLynx 4.1 or later, configured with TargetLynx XS for quantitative analysis and FragmentLynx for structural elucidation. Software installation includes licensed activation keys, instrument method templates, and pre-validated calibration files. Data acquisition supports scheduled runs, multi-channel MRM transitions (up to 1,000 per method), and real-time peak integration with baseline correction algorithms. Raw data files (.raw) are compatible with third-party processing tools including UNIFI, SimGlycan, and commercial CDS platforms. All systems include a dedicated Windows 10 Pro 64-bit workstation with RAID-1 storage, 32 GB RAM, and dual-monitor support—preloaded with antivirus, backup utilities, and remote desktop access configuration.
Applications
This LC/MS/MS platform is routinely deployed in regulated laboratories for pharmacokinetic (PK) and toxicokinetic (TK) studies, residue analysis in agricultural commodities (e.g., pesticides per EU SANTE/11312/2021), impurity profiling per ICH Q3B(R2), and endogenous metabolite quantification in untargeted metabolomics workflows. Its high-duty-cycle MRM capability enables simultaneous monitoring of >200 analytes in plasma, urine, or tissue homogenates without compromising dwell time or sensitivity. The system meets ASTM D7968-20 (pesticide residue testing), ISO 17025:2017 clause 5.9 (method validation), and CLSI EP26-A (mass spectrometry assay verification) requirements when operated under documented SOPs.
FAQ
Is this instrument eligible for regulatory submission in FDA-regulated environments?
Yes—each unit is refurbished to operational equivalence with new-in-box performance and includes documentation packages suitable for inclusion in IND, NDA, or ANDA submissions.
What level of technical support is provided post-installation?
SpectraLab Scientific offers 6 months of remote troubleshooting, firmware updates, and method transfer assistance via secure screen-sharing sessions.
Can the system be upgraded to support newer software versions or additional detectors?
Hardware compatibility with MassLynx 4.2 and future releases is confirmed; integration with TUV or charged aerosol detectors requires evaluation of analog/digital I/O ports and timing synchronization.
Are consumables and spare parts available for long-term operation?
All OEM parts—including ESI needles, ion block assemblies, and quadrupole rods—are stocked and supplied with full traceability documentation.
Does the refurbishment process include replacement of critical wear components?
Yes—ion source optics, detector dynodes, vacuum seals, and solvent delivery check valves are replaced as part of the certified refurbishment protocol.
