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Abstract

A biopsy device and method are provided for removing samples of tissue from a patient's body. The device comprises a hollow outer needle with an opening, a rotatable inner needle with a cutting surface and a driving mechanism within a handle assembly. The needles are inserted into the patient's body and the inner needle is rotated so as to expose the cutting surface. The driving mechanism is activated and the inner needle is oscillated along its longitudinal axis at a desired frequency. The inner needle is then rotated and tissue is pinched between the cutting surface and the outer needle. The combination of the pinching force and the oscillating motion severs a uniform sample of tissue. The tissue is captured between the cutting surface of the inner needle and the inner surface of the outer needle. The driving mechanism is then deactivated and the device is removed from the patient's body. The needle portion of the device may be removed from the handle assembly and discarded.

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First Claim