A probe for a tissue biopsy device for accessing and collecting a tissue specimen from a target site within a patient comprising: an outer member having a proximal tubular portion, an inner lumen, a tissue penetrating distal tip and-an open section proximal to the penetrating distal tip, a tissue accessing cannula slidably disposed at least in part within the inner lumen of the tubular portion of the outer member, the tissue accessing cannula having an inner lumen extending therein and a tissue receiving aperture spaced proximal to the distal end thereof in fluid communication with the inner lumen of the accessing cannula, and an elongated tissue cutting member, which has at least one longitudinal tissue cutting edge, which defines at least in part an inner lumen for receiving tissue cut by the tissue cutting member and which is connected to a drive unit to move the tissue cutting member within the inner lumen of the tissue accessing cannula, characterized in that a. the outer member proximal tubular portion is configured to be releasably secured to a drive housing, and the outer member has a supporting strut extending from the penetrating distal tip to the proximal tubular portion; b. the tissue accessing cannula is configured to be operably secured to a drive unit in a drive housing to rotate the tissue accessing cannula to adjust the orientation of the tissue receiving aperture; and c. the elongated tissue cutting member is slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the tissue accessing cannula. an outer member having a proximal tubular portion, an inner lumen, a tissue penetrating distal tip and-an open section proximal to the penetrating distal tip, a tissue accessing cannula slidably disposed at least in part within the inner lumen of the tubular portion of the outer member, the tissue accessing cannula having an inner lumen extending therein and a tissue receiving aperture spaced proximal to the distal end thereof in fluid communication with the inner lumen of the accessing cannula, and an elongated tissue cutting member, which has at least one longitudinal tissue cutting edge, which defines at least in part an inner lumen for receiving tissue cut by the tissue cutting member and which is connected to a drive unit to move the tissue cutting member within the inner lumen of the tissue accessing cannula, characterized in that a. the outer member proximal tubular portion is configured to be releasably secured to a drive housing, and the outer member has a supporting strut extending from the penetrating distal tip to the proximal tubular portion; b. the tissue accessing cannula is configured to be operably secured to a drive unit in a drive housing to rotate the tissue accessing cannula to adjust the orientation of the tissue receiving aperture; and c. the elongated tissue cutting member is slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the tissue accessing cannula. a. the outer member proximal tubular portion is configured to be releasably secured to a drive housing, and the outer member has a supporting strut extending from the penetrating distal tip to the proximal tubular portion; b. the tissue accessing cannula is configured to be operably secured to a drive unit in a drive housing to rotate the tissue accessing cannula to adjust the orientation of the tissue receiving aperture; and c. the elongated tissue cutting member is slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the tissue accessing cannula.