Abstract: A method of obtaining a tissue specimen includes moving a biopsy needle through a vasculature and through a wall of a blood vessel at a target site. At the target site, the biopsy needle forms a puncture through a wall of said blood vessel at a non-perpendicular angle so that an inner-wall opening of the puncture is further downstream from an outer-wall opening of the puncture. The biopsy needle resects a portion of tissue. The biopsy needle reenters the puncture with the portion of the tissue trapped therein. The biopsy needle is withdrawn from the vasculature for subsequent inspection of the tissue.