Waters Xevo TQD Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (Refurbished)

Overview

The Waters Xevo TQD Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer is a high-performance, robust LC-MS/MS platform engineered for routine quantitative analysis in regulated and research laboratories. Operating on the principle of tandem mass spectrometry via electrospray ionization (ESI) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), the Xevo TQD employs a triple quadrupole architecture—Q1 (mass selection), Q2 (collision-induced dissociation cell), and Q3 (mass analysis)—to deliver exceptional specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. When coupled with the Waters I-Class UltraPerformance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) system—including the Acquity SM-FTN sample manager, BSM binary solvent manager, column manager, and sample organizer—the platform achieves sub-3-second peak widths, requiring high-speed data acquisition and precise dwell time optimization to maintain quantitative integrity across complex matrices. This refurbished unit has undergone full functional validation at SpectraLab Scientific’s ISO/IEC 17025-aligned instrumentation facility, including vacuum integrity verification, mass calibration stability assessment, detector gain evaluation, and MRM response linearity testing across representative analyte classes.

Key Features

• Triple quadrupole mass analyzer with T-Wave collision cell technology for enhanced transmission efficiency and improved signal-to-noise ratio in MRM transitions
• Universal ion source architecture supporting rapid interchange of ESI, APCI, and UniSpray™ sources—enabling broad compound coverage without hardware reconfiguration
• IntelliStart™ automated system setup and performance verification—validates ion optics, detector response, and calibration prior to run initiation
• RADAR™ real-time parallel acquisition mode for simultaneous quantitative (MRM) and qualitative (full-scan or product ion) data collection—facilitating matrix interference profiling and metabolite screening during routine quantitation
• Quanpedia™ auto-generation of MRM methods based on compound databases, reducing method development time while maintaining compliance with analytical procedure validation guidelines (e.g., FDA Guidance for Bioanalytical Method Validation)
• QCMonitor real-time data quality assurance—monitors retention time shifts, peak area drift, and MRM ratio deviations, triggering alerts or automatic corrective actions per user-defined thresholds
• TargetLynx quantitative processing engine with audit-trail-enabled reporting, compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when deployed in validated environments

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Xevo TQD demonstrates broad compatibility with small-molecule pharmaceuticals, peptides, endogenous metabolites, environmental contaminants, and food safety analytes. Its UniSpray ion source extends electrospray efficiency to compounds with low polarity or high molecular weight—reducing reliance on derivatization or source modification. The system meets essential regulatory expectations for GLP and GMP environments: raw data files are immutable and timestamped; software modules support electronic signatures, role-based access control, and full audit trail generation. All refurbished units undergo traceable calibration using NIST-traceable standards (e.g., caffeine, reserpine) and are verified against ASTM D7896-21 (standard practice for LC-MS/MS system suitability) and USP chromatographic system suitability criteria where applicable.

Software & Data Management

Controlled by MassLynx v4.2, the system integrates seamlessly with Waters’ Quantitative and Qualitative Application Manager (QAM). Data acquisition, processing, and reporting workflows are fully scriptable and version-controlled. TargetLynx provides automated peak integration, internal standard normalization, calibration curve fitting (linear/log-linear with weighting), and customizable report templates exportable to PDF, Excel, or LIMS-compatible XML. Audit trails record all user actions—including parameter edits, reprocessing events, and result approvals—with hash-verified immutability. For enterprise deployment, optional integration with Empower 3 CDS supports centralized instrument management, electronic batch records, and cross-platform data harmonization under 21 CFR Part 11 and Annex 11 compliance frameworks.

Applications

This refurbished Xevo TQD/I-Class UPLC system is routinely deployed in bioanalytical laboratories for pharmacokinetic (PK) and toxicokinetic (TK) studies; clinical toxicology labs for therapeutic drug monitoring and overdose screening; environmental testing facilities for pesticide residue quantification per EU SANTE/11312/2021; and food safety programs targeting mycotoxins, veterinary drug residues, and adulterants. Its RADAR-enabled dual-acquisition capability supports hybrid workflows—such as simultaneous quantitation of target analytes and retrospective identification of unknown degradants in stability-indicating assays—without method revalidation. The system’s proven uptime (>95% scheduled availability in multi-user environments) and method transfer fidelity make it suitable for contract research organizations (CROs) and quality control laboratories operating under ISO 17025 accreditation.

FAQ

Is this Xevo TQD unit fully refurbished and performance-validated?
Yes. Each unit undergoes comprehensive electrical, mechanical, and vacuum diagnostics, followed by mass accuracy, resolution, sensitivity (S/N ≥ 100:1 for 100 fg on-column reserpine), and MRM precision (RSD ≤ 5% across 10 injections) validation per SpectraLab’s internal SOP-MS-003.
Does the system include original Waters software licenses?
Yes. Valid MassLynx v4.2, TargetLynx, and QCMonitor licenses are transferred with the instrument and covered under Waters’ standard maintenance terms for the duration of the 12-month warranty.
Can this system be integrated into an existing LIMS or ELN environment?
Yes. Native ASCII and XML export formats, ODBC connectivity, and optional Empower 3 CDS integration enable secure, auditable data exchange with laboratory informatics systems.
What documentation accompanies the instrument?
A complete refurbishment dossier is provided—including pre- and post-validation reports, calibration certificates, IQ/OQ summary documents, and a signed Certificate of Conformance aligned with ISO 9001:2015 and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements.
Is on-site installation and qualification support available?
Yes. SpectraLab offers optional GxP-compliant installation qualification (IQ), operational qualification (OQ), and performance qualification (PQ) services performed by certified field application scientists.