Abstract: A soft tissue biopsy device provided with a piston retraction mechanism designed as a pistol-grip handle for developing a suction chamber within a housing as the piston slides therein. The suction reaches the cannula tip as it is withdrawn, drawing tissue into a depression on an exposed stylet. When the piston retraction mechanism reaches a preset cam limit point, it automatically releases the piston, which is shot forward and restored to its position in the housing by vacuum-spring action. Thus, the cannula slides quickly over the stylet, cutting the tissue and retaining it in the depression. The entire procedure is performed by a single-handed operation. The inventive biopsy device is designed with a piston and housing which are relatively large in comparison to the cannula diameter. Thus, with initial retraction of the piston, a relatively large suction is developed in the cannula, drawing tissue therein and firmly seating it in the stylet depression.

Abstract: A fruit picking device includes a head for receiving the fruit, a first pair of bails pivotally mounted to the head in spaced relation to each other across the housing opening, a second pair of bails pivotally mounted to the head in spaced relation to each other across the housing opening substantially perpendicularly to the first pair of bails, and cutter blades carried by the latter bails and effective, when the bails are pivoted to their closed positions, to engage and cut the stem of the fruit within the head.