Abstract: A slotted introducer cannula includes an introducer sheath insertable into a patient's tissue. The cannula has an open distal end and an open proximal end, and an inner lumen therethrough. The introducer cannula may include at least one aperture in a side wall thereof, which allows fluid communication between the inner lumen and the area outside the cannula. The introducer cannula may also be in communication with a vacuum source, which may remove fluid near the distal end of the introducer cannula.

Abstract: A system for treating a lesion site of a patient is disclosed. The system includes a cannula having a lumen, a conduit in communication with said lumen, an introducer stylet removably disposed within said cannula, a resecting device selectively insertable within said cannula, and an adjuvant treatment device selectively insertable within said cannula.

Abstract: An endoscopic therapeutic device includes an elongated insertion section which is inserted into a living body through a therapeutic device channel of an endoscope, a tubular puncture needle which is disposed at a distal end portion of the insertion section and is made to pierce a living body tissue, a syringe for sampling the living body tissue in a state in which the puncture needle pierces the living body tissue, and a freezing device for subjecting the living body tissue, which is collected by the syringe, to a process for analysis.

Abstract: Instruments for performing percutaneous biopsy procedures are disclosed, which have advantageous features for improving functionality and performance over prior art devices. These instruments comprise two types, single-use devices, and multiple-use devices having active tissue capture capability. Improved features include the ability to retrieve and evaluate multiple tissue samples during a single insertion procedure, without physical handling of the samples, as well as constructional features, such as a molded tissue cassette housing, variant vacuum port embodiments suited for different tissue environments, and a method for backflushing the instrument to remove biological debris, among others.

Abstract: A needle set for a biopsy device is disclosed. The needle set includes an outer member, a cylinder lumen within said outer member, an inner member having a cannula and an inner lumen. The inner member is slidably disposed within the cylinder lumen. The biopsy device also includes a cylinder seal member that is disposed within the cylinder lumen and a cannula seal member attached to the outer surface of the cannula. The cylinder seal member and the cannula seal member define a vacuum chamber therebetween.

Abstract: A biopsy system includes a biopsy device having a translating cutter for severing tissue samples and a vacuum control module. The vacuum control module is separate from the biopsy device. The vacuum control module includes a vacuum pump and vacuum canister, and is portable by a single hand. The vacuum canister and the vacuum control module have complimentary ports that are configured to couple upon insertion of the vacuum canister into the vacuum control module. The complimentary ports provide fluid communication between a vacuum pump in the vacuum control module and a reservoir in the vacuum canister. The biopsy device may be placed in fluid communication with the vacuum pump via the canister without the user having to separately connect any tubes with the canister or pump.

Abstract: An endoscopic puncture needle includes a sheath, an outer needle, an outer needle moving member, an inner needle, an inner needle moving member, and an operation portion. The outer needle moves along an axial direction of the sheath in the sheath, and is retractable with respect to a distal end of the sheath. The outer needle moving member is arranged at a proximal end portion of the outer needle, and moves the outer needle with respect to the sheath. The inner needle moves in the outer needle along the axial direction of the sheath, and is retractable with respect to a distal end of the outer needle. The inner needle moving member is arranged at a proximal end portion of the inner needle, and moves the inner needle with respect to the outer needle. The operation portion operates the outer needle moving member and the inner needle moving member.

Abstract: The present application is directed to an image-guided, vacuum assisted, percutaneous, coring, cable driven breast biopsy instrument which may be conveniently mounted to an x-ray machine wherein the biopsy instrument incorporates a rotation knob at the proximal end of the instrument to manually rotate the distal end of the probe, thus allowing the clinician to conveniently position the tissue port next to the tissue to be sampled.

Abstract: For examining tissue samples that were taken from a tissue area with suspicion of tumor it is proposed that the tissue samples be examined shortly afterward for a measurement value typical of tissue alteration. With tissue samples taken spatially-systematically, a measurement value distribution at the sampling site can be ascertained, and an image of the tissue alteration before sampling can be represented. The device for performing the method includes a sampling device (PU), a supply device (TU), a detector (Det), an evaluation unit (CPU), a storage unit (SU) and an output device (AV) that allows an online examination of taken tissue samples (Pr), and with which the three-dimensional image can be represented by, for instance, a distribution at the sampling site of fluorescence achieved by means of systemically applied markers.

Abstract: A biopsy device is provided. The biopsy device can include a cutter which is advanced through a first portion of its stroke by a differential fluid pressure acting on a piston. A mechanical drive can be used to translate and rotate the cutter during tissue severing.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for debulking a tissue in a patient's body are disclosed herein. In one variation, an apparatus includes a cannula configured to provide percutaneous access to an interior portion of a tissue. The cannula has a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a lumen defined between the distal portion and the proximal portion. A flexible member is coupled to the cannula and configured to steer the distal portion of the cannula within the tissue. An elongate body has a distal portion and is configured to be movably disposed within the lumen of the cannula. The distal portion of the elongate body defines a cutting portion configured to disrupt at least a portion of the tissue when the cutting portion is moved, for example, rotated and/or shuttled. In one variation, the disrupted portion of tissue includes a portion of a tumor.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, an aspirating needle for collecting a specimen includes an elongated body that includes a hollow cannula portion that is open at both a proximal end and a distal end for placement at a specimen site to collect and permit aspiration of the specimen from the specimen site. The cannula portion has a plurality of side openings formed along a length of the cannula portion and proximate the open distal end for providing entrances into a hollow interior of the cannula portion, wherein only one side opening is located in a single transverse plane taken across the cannula portion at a right angle to a longitudinal axis of the cannula portion.

Abstract: A sampling device (10) characterised by a male portion comprising a male base portion (12) and a sample removal means (30), and a female portion comprising a first female base portion (14) and a sample container (16), the sample removal means (30) being removably located on the male base portion (12) and the sample container (16) being removably located at least in part within the first female base portion (14), wherein as the male and female portions are brought together the sample removal means (30) collects a biological sample (47) from an animal being tagged, is received through the first female base portion (14), and lodges in the sample container (16), this action in turn introducing the sample to a sample receiving space (74) within the sample container (16), pushing the sample container (16) from the first female base portion, and sealing the sample receiving space (74), the sample removal means (30) being provided with an amount of sample preparative or preservative (45) that is available to the samp

Abstract: Instruments for performing percutaneous biopsy procedures are disclosed, which have advantageous features for improving functionality and performance over prior art devices. These instruments comprise two types, single-use devices, and multiple-use devices having active tissue capture capability. Improved features include the ability to retrieve and evaluate multiple tissue samples during a single insertion procedure, without physical handling of the samples, as well as constructional features, such as a molded tissue cassette housing, variant vacuum port embodiments suited for different tissue environments, and a method for backflushing the instrument to remove biological debris, among others.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a cutting member with an implement for cutting tissue, and a drive coupled to the cutting member to simultaneously rotate and translate the cutting member in response to a force applied to the drive. A method of cutting tissue includes positioning an outer member such that tissue is located within the outer member, engaging the tissue with an inner member, and simultaneously rotating and translating the inner member to cut the tissue. A tangential cutting force is applied to the tissue with the inner member to mechanically cut the tissue. The inner member is mechanically driven to undergo simultaneous rotation and translation.

Abstract: A medical device for obtaining biopsy tissue samples is provided. The device includes a flexible outer tubular member having proximal and distal ends, and a flexible inner member slidably and preferably coaxially received within the outer tubular member. The inner member includes a flexible member adjacent the proximal end of the outer tubular member, a first spring section having proximal and distal ends and being oriented adjacent the distal end of the outer tubular member, and a second spring section therebetween. A retractable hollow needle member or other specimen collection device is coupled to the distal end of the first spring section.

Abstract: A biopsy device which is compatible for use with a magnetic resonance imaging machine. The device includes a non-metallic elongated substantially tubular needle having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis therebetween, and a port on the elongated needle for receiving a tissue sample. The device further includes a sharpened distal tip for insertion within tissue. The sharpened distal tip is attached to the distal end of the needle and at least partially comprises a material which will leave an artifact under magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: A biopsy system for retrieving biopsy tissue samples from different regions of the body is disclosed. The biopsy system includes a single use loading unit having a trocar assembly and a knife assembly. A trocar driver is operably connected to the trocar assembly and is actuable to move a trocar between retracted and advanced positions. The trocar driver is disengaged from the trocar assembly prior to firing the trocar into a target tissue mass to reduce drag on the trocar during firing. A knife driver is operably connected to the knife assembly such that when actuated, a knife is both rotatably and axially advanced about the trocar.

Abstract: A medical apparatus and method useful for resecting tissue from the gastrointestinal tract are disclosed. The apparatus can include an RF tissue cutting device disposed inward of a side opening in the device. A tissue stop can be used to control the depth of tissue resected, and the tissue stop can include holes for communicating vacuum for drawing tissue into the side opening. The tissue stop can be electrically grounded with respect to the RF tissue cutting device, and the tissue stop can provide one pole of an RF electrical circuit.

Abstract: Provided herein is an instrument and method useful to incise in to the skin to a precise depth and at a specific angle with respect to the surface of the skin of a patient, for the extraction of individual follicular groups or individual follicular units. An instrument according to the invention precisely limits the depth of incision, and creates a circular incision around a hair, follicular unit, or follicular cluster in a manner such that no damage occurs to any of the hair shafts.

Abstract: A medical device for obtaining biopsy tissue samples is provided includes a flexible outer tubular member having proximal and distal ends, and an inner tubular member slidably and coaxially received within the outer tubular member and a stylet slidably and coaxially received within the inner tubular member. A spring member coaxially oriented about the stylet has a proximal end attached to the stylet and a distal end attached to an outer hollow needle member. The inner hollow needle is attached to the distal end of the stylet to effect reciprocal movement thereof. The device has a retracted position, a first extended position wherein the outer hollow needle and a first portion of the inner needle are deployed beyond the distal end of the device, and a second extended position wherein a second length of the inner needle is deployed beyond the distal end of the device.

Abstract: A biopsy device having an insert and related method are disclosed. The insert permits a user to obtain a tissue sample surrounding a center core(s) of removed tissue. The additional tissue provides an effective evaluation of whether all the desired tissue has been excised and a determination of whether an acceptable margin of healthy tissue has been removed.

Abstract: A device for rapidly collecting tissue samples from organisms serves as a reaction chamber. It includes a solvent used to extract the analyte, a filter, and optional bioconcentrators. The filtered suspension is irradiated with a predetermined wavelength and the emitted, scattered, or reflected photons transmitted to a detector that identifies and quantifies the analyte. The bioconcentrators may consist of antibodies and colloidal metal nanoparticles that enhance emission of Raman signal frequencies by analytes bound to the antibodies. Alternatively, the device may contain only the extraction solvent and a filter.

Abstract: A biopsy device having an insert is disclosed. The insert permits a user to obtain a tissue sample surrounding a center core(s) of removed tissue. The additional tissue provides an effective evaluation of whether all the desired tissue has been excised and a determination of whether an acceptable margin of healthy tissue has been removed.

Abstract: A tissue sampling apparatus comprises a tubular body having a primary lumen for receiving a tissue sample. The tubular body includes a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The tissue sampling apparatus further comprises a cutting cylinder having a distal cutting edge, which is movable both distally and proximally relative to the tubular body. A band having an eyelet disposed therein extends across a distal end of the tissue sampling apparatus, wherein the eyelet is advantageously movable relative to the distal cutting edge in order to sever a distal end of the tissue sample.

Abstract: A biopsy probe for the collection of at least one soft tissue sample from a surgical patient. The biopsy probe has a frame and an elongated piercing element having a proximal end attached to the distal end of the frame and a sharpened distal end for piercing tissue. The piercing element has a lumen extending at least partially therethrough. The probe also includes an elongated cutter disposed coaxially and slidably within the lumen of the piercing element. The cutter has a distal end for cutting a tissue sample, a proximal end and a body connecting the distal and proximal ends, wherein at least a portion of the body comprises a flexible member.

Abstract: A method of controlling a surgical cutting device, the device including a hollow needle with a port for tissue entry and a moveable cutting blade for severing tissue entering the needle through the port, the blade being movable between a first portion enabling tissue entry through the port and a second portion closing the port, the tissue entering the needle being severed as the blade moves between the first and second portions, the method includes the steps: a) providing vacuum to the hollow needle to cause tissue entry into the needle through the port; b) moving the blade from the first portion to the second position to sever the tissue entering the needle; c) evacuating severed tissue from the needle by vacuum; d) reducing vacuum to the needle before moving the blade from the second position to the first position; and repeating steps (a) through (d).

Abstract: Medical devices for insertion into a body cavity, such as the thoracic cavity. One version of the medical devices includes an outer needle with side openings in the shaft that communicate with a central passageway of the outer needle, and a stylet having a tapered distal end and a shaft that is configured to be slidably positioned within the passageway of the outer needle. The stylet shaft in this version has different cross-sectional areas at different locations along the stylet shaft. Methods of performing a medical procedure on a subject using the disclosed medical devices. One such procedure is a lung biopsy on a subject.

Abstract: Differing cytology device apparatuses, and methods for their use, are provided for collecting cytology samples from within a mammalian body. The apparatuses and methods disclosed are minimally invasive. Some of the apparatuses include a needle having an inner lumen extending from a proximal to a distal end. A stylet, having a proximal end and a distal end, is adapted to be inserted into the inner lumen of the needle to plug the inner lumen while a cytology sample is cut in order to prevent contamination within the needle. The distal end of the stylet may be sharp, and may be adapted to extend beyond the distal end of the needle to cut a cytology sample. Also included is a cytology collection device which is adapted to be inserted into the inner lumen of the needle when the stylet is withdrawn from the inner lumen of the needle.

Abstract: A surgical biopsy system is provided for removing at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient. The surgical biopsy system comprises an elongated, hollow piercer and a cutter rotatably and axially positionable relative to the piercer. The piercer has a lateral port for receiving the tissue sample into the piercer. The surgical biopsy system further comprises a power transmission source operatively connected to the cutter for rotating and translating the cutter, a control unit, and a display mounted in a display frame for showing an operator a plurality of operational modes of the surgical biopsy system. The surgical biopsy system further comprises at least one control button operatively connected to the control unit by a circuit and remotely located from the control unit. The operator may actuate the control button(s) to select any one of the operational modes and the selected operational mode is visually identifiable on the display.

Abstract: A dental implant for anchoring in a bone structure, comprising a head intended to support a dental prosthesis and a threaded root of cylindrical substance, in which the threaded root has an internal cavity and a lateral orifice through which this internal cavity opens out on the external lateral face of the root.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining a lung biopsy with an apparatus capable of sealing tears within the lung and pleural space to reduce the risk of pneumothorax or pulmonary hemorrhage. The apparatus includes an RF ablation apparatus having a lung biopsy device an energy delivery device including at least one electrode designed to be deployed into target lung tissue, and a sensor. A closure device is operatively coupled to the elongated member to produce an immediate tight seal and promote healing at the tissue interface. A feedback control device is operatively coupled to the sensor and a RF source for controlling energy delivered to the electrodes.

Abstract: A tissue cutting device is provided that includes an outer cannula defining an outer lumen and a tissue-receiving opening adjacent a distal end of the outer cannula in communication with the outer lumen. An inner cannula is slidably disposed within the outer lumen and defines an inner lumen from an open distal end to an open opposite proximal end. The inner cannula includes a cutting edge at the open distal end operable to sever tissue projecting through the tissue receiving opening. A first hydraulic rotary motor is operably coupled to the inner cannula to rotate the inner cannula within the outer cannula. A second hydraulic reciprocating motor is operably coupled to the inner cannula to translate the inner cannula within the outer cannula while the inner cannula rotates. A hydraulic system provides the first and second hydraulic motors in communication with a source of pressurized fluid.

Abstract: The invention described herein is an image-guided, vacuum assisted, percutaneous, coring, cable driven breast biopsy instrument which may be conveniently mounted to an x-ray machine. The biopsy instrument described herein incorporates incorporates a firing mechanism to rapidly advance the biopsy probe into the breast.

Abstract: A disposable tissue removal device comprises a “tube within a tube” cutting element mounted to a handpiece. The inner cannula of the cutting element defines an inner lumen and terminates in an inwardly beveled, razor-sharp cutting edge. The inner cannula is driven by both a rotary motor and a reciprocating motor. At the end of its stroke, the inner cannula makes contact with the cutting board to completely sever the tissue. An aspiration vacuum is applied to the inner lumen to aspirate excised tissue through the inner cannula and into a collection trap that is removably mounted to the handpiece. The rotary and reciprocating motors are hydraulically powered through a foot pedal operated hydraulic circuit. The entire biopsy device is configured to be disposable. In one embodiment, the cutting element includes a cannula hub that can be connected to a fluid source, such as a valve-controlled saline bag.

Abstract: The biopsy device has a biopsy channel connected to an aspiration and collecting chamber and at least one application channel connected to a dispensing chamber integrally connected with the aspiration chamber. The application channel is formed by a tube centrically slipped over the biopsy channel wall. To enable the collection of tissue specimens without tissue specimens entering and obstructing the application cannula, the distal segment of the application channel forms a close fitting and concentric sheath around the biopsy channel. The proximal end of the application channel has a larger diameter than the distal end allowing for unobstructed flow of the application material past the biopsy channel wall upon retraction of the biopsy channel from the distal segment of the application channel.

Abstract: The present application is directed to an image-guided, vacuum assisted, percutaneous, coring, cable driven breast biopsy instrument which may be conveniently mounted to an x-ray machine wherein the biopsy instrument incorporates a rotation knob at the proximal end of the instrument to manually rotate the distal end of the probe, thus allowing the clinician to conveniently position the tissue port next to the tissue to be sampled.

Abstract: A biopsy device having an insert is disclosed. The insert permits a user to obtain a tissue sample surrounding a center core(s) of removed tissue. The additional tissue provides an effective evaluation of whether all the desired tissue has been excised and a determination of whether an acceptable margin of healthy tissue has been removed.

Abstract: An endoscopic tissue collecting instrument includes an outer sheath that has an annular blade portion formed on the outer periphery of its distal end and which has a tissue retaining recess formed in the lateral side of an area close to the blade portion, and an inner needle that is fitted into the outer sheath to be capable of moving back and forth along the longitudinal axis and which has formed at the distal end a cutting blade for cutting off the tissue entering the tissue retaining recess and a needle tip pointed forward. The inner needle can be manipulated by the operator to move back and forth between two positions, one being where its distal end is drawn into the outer sheath such that it does not close the tissue retaining recess and the other being where it protrudes from the distal end of the outer sheath.

Abstract: A device for rapidly collecting tissue samples from organisms serves as a reaction chamber. It includes a solvent used to extract the analyte, a filter, and optional bioconcentrators. The filtered suspension is irradiated with a predetermined wavelength and the emitted, scattered, or reflected photons transmitted to a detector that identifies and quantifies the analyte. The bioconcentrators may consist of antibodies and colloidal metal nanoparticles that enhance emission of Raman signal frequencies by analytes bound to the antibodies. Alternatively, the device may contain only the extraction solvent and a filter.

Abstract: A disposable tissue removal device comprises a “tube within a tube” cutting element mounted to a handpiece. The inner cannula of the cutting element defines an inner lumen and terminates in an inwardly beveled, razor-sharp cutting edge. The inner cannula is driven by both a rotary motor and a reciprocating motor. At the end of its stroke, the inner cannula makes contact with the cutting board to completely sever the tissue. An aspiration vacuum is applied to the inner lumen to aspirate excised tissue through the inner cannula and into a collection trap that is removably mounted to the handpiece. The rotary and reciprocating motors are hydraulically powered through a foot pedal operated hydraulic circuit. The entire biopsy device is configured to be disposable. In one embodiment, the cutting element includes a cannula hub that can be connected to a fluid source, such as a valve-controlled saline bag.

Abstract: The present application is directed to an image-guided, vacuum assisted, percutaneous, coring, cable driven breast biopsy instrument which may be conveniently mounted to an x-ray machine wherein the biopsy instrument incorporates a rotation knob at the proximal end of the instrument to manually rotate the distal end of the probe, thus allowing the clinician to conveniently position the tissue port next to the tissue to be sampled.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for removing a portion of tissue comprising an elongated body having a distal edge, a collapsible cutting member mounted to the elongated body, having an opening therethrough and extending distally of the distal edge of the elongated body. The cutting member has a closed loop conductive surface and is movable from a first loop configuration to a second smaller loop configuration, the exposed conductive distal edge forming an electrosurgical cutting surface for applying electrical energy to tissue. The cutting member resects a tubular region of tissue as the apparatus is advanced through tissue and the resected tissue extends through an opening in the cutting ring for containment within the elongated body.

Abstract: A system adapted to control the operation of a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy device provided with a syringe to which is transferred a tissue sample extracted from an internal target in the body of a patient in which the needle is injected. Associated with, this biopsy device is an ultrasound imaging instrument having a transducer placed on a body site overlying the internal target and coupled to a CRT monitor. The needle is injected into the patient through a guide passage in the transducer, hence displayed on the CRT screen is an image of the internal target and that of the advancing needle. The biopsy device is controlled by a pneumatic or motor-driven mechanism operatively coupled to a guide tube through which the needle extends. For a first phase of an operating cycle, the mechanism advances the needle toward the target to extract a tissue sample therefrom. In a second operating phase, the mechanism acts to retract the tissue loaded needle from the body of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the biopsy of tissue specimens and, more particularly, a single insertion multiple sample percutaneous biopsy apparatus and method are provided. A tip at a distal end of a vacuum support tube is introduced into a tissue mass. The vacuum support tube is retracted exposing a basket tube bounded by a front washer and a rear washer mounted thereabout forming a tissue basket. The basket tube is supported internally by a thrust tube which provides structure to the apparatus to allow it to penetrate tissue. The thrust tube and the basket tube are in fluid connection and are provided with suction to draw tissue inward. The tissue is then severed by rotating and advancing a knife edge at the distal end of the vacuum support tube. The tissue basket is withdrawn and the tissue sample is removed by rotating the vacuum support tube. The tissue sample is sliced longitudinally, and a stripper scrapes the tissue sample from an opening in the vacuum support tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aspiration device that includes an outer cannula 16, a stylet 14, and an aspiration needle 80. The aspiration needle includes hollow cannula 82 and an aperture 93. The outer cannula 16 defines a distal tip 29 that is tapered to provide a distal cutting edge. The stylet 14 is designed to be inserted in the outer cannula 16. The stylet 14 also defines a sharp distal tip 30. The hollow cannula 82 designed to be inserted in the outer cannula 16. A distal end 91 of the hollow cannula 82 is closed and an aperture 93 is defined in a side of the hollow cannula 82.

Abstract: Apparatus for collection of a skin sample from a patient that includes an elongated generally tubular barrel having first and second axial extremities and having an interior chamber in communication with the first axial extremity. The first axial extremity of the generally tubular barrel has a sharp edge. The apparatus further includes apparatus for connecting the interior chamber to an associated vacuum source and apparatus for directing a vacuum from the associated vacuum source to the sharp edge. Some forms of the invention include a stop member disposed within the barrel for limiting the thickness of the skin sample. The stop member may be a perforate body. The apparatus may further include apparatus for securing the stop member in a plurality of discrete axial positions whereby the thickness of the skin sample may be defined before the collection process starts.

Abstract: A method is provided for selecting an operational mode of a surgical biopsy system for removing at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient. For this method the operator uses a surgical biopsy system comprising an elongated, hollow piercer and a cutter rotatably and axially positionable relative to the piercer. The piercer has a port for receiving the tissue sample. The surgical biopsy system further comprises a control unit, a display showing a plurality of available operational modes of the surgical biopsy system, and at least one control button remotely located from the control unit and operatively connected to the control unit by a circuit. The method comprises the steps of visualizing icons on a display which are representative of the plurality of operational modes on the display and actuating the control button(s) to scroll through the operational modes on the display to select a desired operational mode.

Abstract: A biopsy probe for the collection of at least one soft tissue sample from a surgical-patient. The biopsy probe has a handle, having a distal end and a proximal end, for holding the probe. The probe further includes an elongated needle, located at the distal end of the handle. The needle has a sharpened distal end for piercing tissue and a bowl for receiving a tissue mass. The probe has a cutter for severing the tissue mass received in the bowl, and at least one tissue marker element to apply a mark to the exterior of the tissue so the radial orientation of the tissue can later be determined.

Abstract: Instruments for performing percutaneous biopsy procedures are disclosed, which have advantageous features for improving functionality and performance over prior art devices. These instruments comprise two types, single-use devices, and multiple-use devices having active tissue capture capability. Improved features include the ability to retrieve and evaluate multiple tissue samples during a single insertion procedure, without physical handling of the samples, as well as constructional features, such as a molded tissue cassette housing, variant vacuum port embodiments suited for different tissue environments, and a method for backflushing the instrument to remove biological debris, among others.