Thermo Scientific TSQ Quantis Plus triple quadrupole mass spectrometer

Importance of the Topic

The demand for reliable, high-throughput quantitative analysis in laboratories across environmental, food safety, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, clinical research, and forensic toxicology settings continues to grow. Triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (TQMS) remains the gold standard for targeted quantitation due to its unmatched sensitivity, selectivity, and dynamic range. Advancements in TQMS technology, such as those embodied by the Thermo Scientific™ TSQ Quantis™ Plus, are pivotal for laboratories tasked with meeting stringent regulatory limits, expanding compound panels, and maintaining operational efficiency.

Goals and Overview of the Study

This application note introduces the TSQ Quantis Plus mass spectrometer and its AIM+ (Active Ion Management Plus) Technology, detailing how its design elements contribute to enhanced quantitative throughput and reproducibility. The document outlines the instrument’s core innovations, demonstrates performance across diverse workflows, and highlights its integration with chromatography and data analysis solutions to deliver streamlined, reliable, and scalable quantitative methods.

Used Instrumentation

• TSQ Quantis Plus triple quadrupole mass spectrometer
• OptaMax NG heated electrospray ionization (HESI) and APCI-ready ion source
• ARC II collision cell with axial DC fields
• QR4 segmented quadrupole mass filters
• Enhanced dual-mode discrete dynode electron multiplier detector
• Ion transfer tube with sweep cone and stacked ring RF ion guide

Methodology

The TSQ Quantis Plus leverages segmented quadrupoles with hyperbolic rods (QR4) and AIM+ Technology to optimize ion transmission, reduce chemical noise, and improve linearity. The ARC II cell enables ultra-fast selected reaction monitoring (SRM), while the OptaMax NG source automates gas and voltage controls for HESI or APCI. Workflows for environmental and food safety, pharma, biopharma, clinical research, and forensic toxicology were tested via spiked matrices (e.g., milk, pork tissue, whole blood) across wide concentration ranges. Automated compound optimization, dwell time prioritization, and SRM visualization in TraceFinder™ and Chromeleon™ CDS software facilitated method development and data review.

Main Results and Discussion

• Environmental and Food Safety: Achieved quantitation of veterinary drugs at sub-ppt levels in complex matrices, demonstrating excellent linearity and low limits of detection with overlaid SRM responses showing consistent sensitivity at 50 ppt.
• Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical: Maintained high-flow and low-flow performance for small molecules and peptides. Enhanced collision cell performance delivered reliable low-mass product ion detection and consistent ion ratios for peptide quantitation over five orders of magnitude.
• Clinical Research and Forensic Toxicology: Delivered robust performance for single and multi-channel assays, achieving <5 % RSD for cyclosporin D after more than 1,500 injections. 4-CMC spiked in whole blood showed linear response down to 0.01 ng/mL with high quantitative precision.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Laboratories benefit from:

• High confidence in data quality through improved ion management and enhanced detector linearity.
• Increased productivity via automated optimization routines, simplified maintenance, and intuitive software integration with TraceFinder™, Chromeleon™, and mzCloud™.
• Flexible workflow support, from offline and online sample preparation in environmental testing to high-throughput, around-the-clock operation in pharma and clinical labs.

Future Trends and Opportunities

The evolution of AIM+ and segmented quadrupole technologies points toward even faster duty cycles and higher multiplexing capabilities. Integration with high-resolution mobility interfaces (e.g., FAIMS Pro Duo) and cloud-based data analytics will further streamline method development and real-time monitoring. Laboratories can anticipate expanded applications in metabolomics, clinical diagnostics, and residue analysis as compound libraries grow and regulatory standards tighten.

Conclusion

The Thermo Scientific TSQ Quantis Plus mass spectrometer offers an unprecedented combination of sensitivity, robustness, and automation for quantitative analysis. AIM+ Technology and advanced hardware components deliver reliable, reproducible results across diverse applications, empowering laboratories to meet increasing demands for speed, sensitivity, and productivity.

References

No external references were provided in the source document.