New Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS Combines Power and Simplicity

Laboratories working with challenging matrices can now benefit from a new triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) that is designed to combine power and simplicity in a single instrument.

The new Thermo Scientific iCAP TQ ICP-MS system made its debut at Pittcon 2017 at McCormick Place, Chicago. The easy-to-use system, developed to support ultralow detection limits, offers advanced interference removal capabilities designed to overcome interferences common in challenging matrices. It is also designed to provide reliable and reproducible data for a range of applications.

“There’s a growing need to push the boundaries of detection, especially in metallurgy, clinical research, pharmaceutical compliance, environmental science, food safety and geoscience,” said Adrian Holley, marketing director, trace elemental analysis, Thermo Fisher. “Our customers want the detection limits and accuracy of triple quadrupole technology with the ease of a single quad, and the iCAP TQ ICP-MS delivers that combination of power and simplicity.”

The new iCAP TQ ICP-MS allows users to switch between single and triple quadrupole modes in a single multi-element experiment so that laboratories can keep their existing workflow as well as add new capabilities over time.

“Triple quadrupole technology ICP-MS is enabling us to overcome research challenges in sample analysis that we were unable to address with single quad technology,” said Jörg Bettmer, PhD, assistant professor, department of physical and analytical chemistry, University of Oviedo, Spain. “For example, analyzing titanium in biological system samples is challenging due to its low concentration and similarity to other interfering elements. With the iCAP TQ ICP-MS system, we are able to significantly increase sensitivity and decrease detection limits so that we attain the measurements that allow us to analyze low concentrations of titanium in complex samples. This is especially important as use of titanium as nanomaterials continues to increase in daily consumer products.”

When combined with Thermo Scientific Qtegra Intelligent Scientific Data Software, an intuitive user interface and the Reaction Finder tool, researchers can reduce time-consuming method development.

The system requires minimal user maintenance and includes QCell flatapole technology, a small volume collision/reaction cell with flatapole rods, and a dedicated gas distribution unit for lab safety and maximum flexibility. It also features self-aligning sample introduction components for reproducibility and an ergonomic benchtop design with a compact footprint that saves valuable lab space. Finally, by integrating control of peripherals, the system is designed for outstanding productivity with minimal errors - targeting consistent performance and reliable data.

Please click here for a closer look at the Thermo Scientific iCAP TQ ICP-MS system.