TSQ Altis™ Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer - FAQs

For short periods (less than 24 hr) the system can just be put into standby. However, it is good practice to flush the system with 50:50 solvent/water (where the solvent is either methanol or acetonitrile) to remove buffers or additives and stop microbial growth.

For longer periods, flush the LC system with 50:50 solvent/water. Then flush with 100% solvent. Put the system into standby.

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The mass calibration should ideally be performed every 3 months and definitely performed at least every 6 months. Refer to the Instrument Manual (https://tools.thermofisher.com/content/sfs/manuals/TSQ-Series-Hardware.pdf) for detailed instructions on how to perform mass calibration.

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The Ion Transfer Tube should be removed and sonicated in a 50:50 solution of methanol/water that contains 20% formic acid for 30 min. Rinse thoroughly with water. Then sonicate in methanol for 15 min. Dry with nitrogen gas.

The same procedure can be applied to the Ion Sweep Cone.

Refer to the Instrument Manual (https://tools.thermofisher.com/content/sfs/manuals/TSQ-Series-Hardware.pdf) for more detailed instructions.

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Perform loop injections of your analyte using isocractic elution through a short column at the flow rate and approximate mobile phase composition. Use a concentration where the signal to noise is approximately 10:1. Record the raw data file and integrate the peaks, comparing peak areas at different source positions (i.e., left and right, up and down, fore and aft). Ensure that the background noise is not increasing more than the peak area.

Note: The needle position on the Thermo Fisher Scientific TSQ Altis MS, TSQ Quantis MS, and TSQ Fortis MS instruments is set and should not be adjusted.

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It is advisable to turn both the LC system and the MS system on for at least 30 min prior to analysis. This time can usually be spent testing one or more solvents or matrix blanks.

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The software will show pressure traces to ensure that the pumps are working properly. Reproducible retention times and area counts for each of the internal-standard peaks ensure that the injector, LC column and mass spectrometer are working properly. Results for each calibrator must pass acceptance criteria and results for each quality control (QC) must be within acceptable limits to report sample results while being within the specified analytical range of the calibrators. They also must pass acceptance criteria for chromatographic peak integrity (actual vs expected retention time and ion ratio confirmation), to ensure reliable quantitation.

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The acquisition software allows one to select to automatically have the system go to standby mode which turns the pump(s) off and the ion-source voltage and spray temperature while the ion-transfer tube temperature remains on and a low flow of nitrogen blows across its entrance. This minimizes the chances of letting contaminated ambient air entering the mass spectrometer.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Mass Spectrometry Support Center.