HPLC Front Ends for Mass Spectrometry

Since introducing its first modular HPLC system, Shimadzu has been at the forefront in developing UHPLC components and systems for the modern laboratory. And, from the introduction of LC-MS, Shimadzu has recognized the need for precision-engineered HPLC components that work in unison with LC-MS/MS systems. That’s why Shimadzu ranks as the most trusted HPLC vendor for LC-MS/MS users, delivering unrivaled performance in terms of reproducibility, throughput, and ultra-low carryover.

Near-zero carryover and an ultra-high-speed injection provide the ultimate in autosampler performance, proof that the SIL-40 series autosamplers enable unmatched efficiency and productivity for LC-MS/MS analysis.

Carryover Performance

With its high selectivity and sensitivity, an LC-MS enables trace-level compound determination, especially on a triple-quadrupole platform. However, this sensitivity comes at a cost. Injection carryover or residual sample from injection to injection can really be a problem when the quantitative value of the carryover is a non-negligible amount. For this reason, Shimadzu has continually focused its attention on minimizing carryover issues through both an innovative design and effective countermeasures.

Shimadzu’s autosamplers feature a hardware design (flow path and material choice) that resists adsorption as well as rinse options that minimize carryover to ensure exceptional performance, even when used with a high-sensitivity LC-MS/MS.

The Shimadzu family of pumps continues to set the standard by which others are judged. With micro plunger-driven precision solvent delivery control to enable precise gradient delivery, they are ideal as front-end components for LC-MS/MS environments where stable, quiet, and precise solvent delivery is critical for optimal performance from the mass spectrometer.

The Shimadzu Nexera series can be configured as both high- and low-pressure gradient systems. The binary pump, which includes two pump units in a single device, results in a space-saving design in the case of high-pressure gradient configurations (XR and X3 models). Additionally, a wide variety of mixer volumes is available to support modifying the gradient delay volume as necessary.

The Nexera Plate Changer offers unmatched performance and throughput in a space-saving design. It is possible to load up to seven racks of 1.5 mL vials or 14 microtiter plates. Significantly higher throughput is achieved by linking up to three units (maximum 44 MTP) to any SIL-40 autosampler for an astounding 16,896 uninterrupted samples. Each exchange of plates takes less than 20 seconds.