Abstract: A biopsy needle with a conduit for receiving a hard biopsy sample and a fluid biopsy sample. The conduit has a first cross-sectional area. The biopsy needle has an end with a penetrating bit operable for coring the hard biopsy sample. The end has a second cross-sectional area less than the first cross-sectional area. Therefore, the hard biopsy sample has a cross-sectional area substantially equal to the second cross-sectional area A space is thus left between the hard biopsy sample and the conduit when the hard biopsy sample is received therein. The biopsy needle has a retainer located at an interior of the conduit for holding the cored hard biopsy sample within the conduit. The biopsy needle also has an aperture on a sidewall of the conduit for aspirating the fluid biopsy sample into the space.

Abstract: A biopsy instrument which can be used to take a bone biopsy sample or a soft tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy instrument includes a biopsy needle and a biopsy gun. The biopsy gun includes a firing mechanism for firing the biopsy needle with a minimum force for striking and penetrating the target tissue organ; a cradle that securely holds the biopsy needle with an attached disposable syringe having a plunger; and a triggering mechanism. In operation, the triggering mechanism actuates the firing mechanism causing the cradle together with the needle and the attached syringe to fire forward with a sufficient force such that the needle penetrates the target tissue organ causing a first a first tissue sample to be cored in the needle. The disposable syringe can then be used to obtain a second tissue sample up through the biopsy needle using a vacuum created in the disposable syringe when the plunger is maintained in a rearward position while the syringe fires forward.

Abstract: A biopsy needle, for sampling tissue and the like, including a sidewall defining a hollow interior and a sharpened end. The needle has a lanced section which is formed from material of the sidewall itself and defines a rearwardly sloping, rearwardly facing blade disposed within the hollow interior of the needle. Tissue is sampled per insertion of the needle by severing the tissue with the sharpened end, passing the tissue into the hollow interior and slicing the tissue off by rotating the blade through 360 degrees. The sliced off sample is securely held by the blade as the needle is withdrawn.

Abstract: A biopsy needle, for sampling tissue and the like, including a sidewall defining a hollow interior and a sharpened end. The needle has a lanced section which is formed from material of the sidewall itself and defines a rearwardly sloping, rearwardly facing blade disposed within the hollow interior of the needle. Tissue is sampled per insertion of the needle by severing the tissue with the sharpened end, passing the tissue into the hollow interior and slicing the tissue off by rotating the blade through 360 degrees. The sliced off sample is securely held by the blade as the needle is withdrawn.

Abstract: A device is described for performing mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The device comprises a housing which in use is secured to the chest of a patient, the housing and securing means providing inelastic encirclement of the patient's chest. Pneumatically operated pressing means projects from the housing to bear on the patient's breast bone and suitable valving is contained in the housing to apply cyclic displacement of the pressing means.