The new LC-MS/MS system is designed to improve sensitivity, robustness, and uptime for applications including toxicology and hormone testing.
Waters Corp announced the launch of the Xevo TQ Absolute XR IVD Mass Spectrometer at the Association for Diagnostics and Laboratory Medicine (ADLM) 2026 Annual Meeting. The system expands the company’s MassTrak IVD System portfolio of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) solutions.
Designed for routine laboratory testing, the system offers up to five times greater sensitivity than other instruments in its class, according to a press release from Waters. This increased sensitivity allows for lower limits of detection and the quantification of challenging analytes from smaller sample volumes.
These capabilities are intended for clinical applications requiring accurate measurement at low concentrations, such as estradiol testing for women’s health, hormone-related cancer assessment, and hair toxicology for detecting drugs of abuse.
“With the introduction of the Xevo TQ Absolute XR IVD System, Waters is delivering a new standard of sensitivity and robustness that can significantly reduce downtime and improve laboratory productivity,” says Jianqing Bennett, senior vice president of Waters Advanced Diagnostics, Waters Corp, in a release. “Waters is uniquely positioned to help clinical laboratories develop reliable methods for complex analytes and expand their testing capabilities to meet growing demand across women’s health, cancer assessment, and toxicology applications.”
Improved Robustness and Stability
The system features the StepWave XR Ion Guide, which is designed to improve robustness by maintaining ion ratio consistency for up to six times longer than the previous Xevo TQ Absolute IVD System, according to the company. This advancement is intended to provide consistent performance when laboratories analyze complex clinical samples that contain phospholipids, salts, and other matrix components.
James Nutt, head of laboratory operations at Cansford Laboratories, says the system provides greater confidence when working near decision cut-offs in complex matrices like human hair.
“The systems strengthen our analytical reliability, have the potential to greatly expand our substance testing capabilities, and improve operational efficiency,” says Nutt in a release. “They deliver better signal stability and improved sensitivity, which is especially important when working close to decision cut-offs in complex matrices such as human hair.”
System Integration
The new MassTrak LC-MS/MS IVD System integrates the ACQUITY UPLC I-Class PLUS System with the Xevo TQ Absolute XR IVD Mass Spectrometer. The ACQUITY UPLC I-Class PLUS System is designed to provide fast, accurate sample analysis to enhance mass spectrometer performance and simplify the characterization of complex samples.
The integrated system is designed to maximize laboratory uptime through a user-friendly design and enhanced robustness for complex sample matrices, according to the company. The MassTrak LC-MS/MS IVD System with the Xevo TQ Absolute XR Mass Spectrometer is currently available for order.
Photo caption: Xevo TQ Absolute XR IVD Mass Spectrometer
Photo credit: Waters Corp
