Abstract: A biopsy instrument for obtaining a tissue sample from a body cavity such as the endometrial tissue forming the uterine cavity or from the cervix. The instrument comprises a first generally rigid guide housing for insertion into the cavity. An elongated, flexible shaft is slidable therethrough and has spaced from its distal end a curved portion for collecting a tissue specimen thereon. The curved portion includes a set of scraping tabs and a set of collecting tabs spaced apart around the circumference of the curved portion and extending alternately outwardly therefrom. After the shaft is extended from within the housing and rotated in a first direction, the scraping tabs scrape tissue free from the endometrial surface. Upon rotating the shaft in a second opposite direction, the collecting tabs collect the free floating tissue. When the shaft is retracted within the housing, the instrument is removed from within the body cavity, and a tissue sample is available for testing.

Abstract: An amniotic membrane perforator includes an elongated shaft having a pair of spaced apart lobes at the distal end thereof relative to the user. A pair of tines are positioned between the lobes. Upon insertion of the perforator into the vaginal canal the lobes depress the amniotic sac so as to present a portion of the sac tissue to the tines for subsequent puncture.

Abstract: A biopsy punch for extracting cervical tissue comprises a tubular housing having a cutting means slidable therethrough for slicing a strip of tissue from the cervix tip protruding into a tissue port. Three embodiments are presented illustrating various cutting edges for the cutting means. The first embodiment presents a bevelled cutting edge with piercing point for initially piercing the tissue. A second embodiment presents a mounting block for the cutting edge with the block key locked to the housing in slidable movement therethrough. A third embodiment presents a cylindrical cutting edge for providing a conical slice of biopsy tissue.