A biopsy apparatus, comprising: (a) a driver assembly configured to be grasped by a user, including: an electromechanical power source; a vacuum source; and a first vacuum path permanently associated with said vacuum source, said first vacuum path having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being fixedly coupled to said vacuum source in fluid communication therewith, said first vacuum path having a first one-way valve configured and arranged to permit a negative pressure fluid flow toward said vacuum source and to prevent a positive pressure fluid flow away from said vacuum source toward said distal end; and (b) a disposable biopsy probe assembly configured for releasable attachment to said driver assembly, said disposable biopsy probe assembly including: a transmission device configured for driving engagement with said electromechanical power source; and a biopsy probe drivably coupled to said transmission device, said biopsy probe having a sample basket for receiving a biopsy tissue sample, characterized in that the disposable biopsy probe assembly further includes a second vacuum path having a first end and a second end, said first end being configured for removable attachment to said distal end of said first vacuum path and said second end being coupled in fluid communication with said sample basket, said second vacuum path having a second one-way valve configured and arranged to permit the negative pressure fluid flow from said sample basket and to redundantly prevent the positive pressure fluid flow from said first end of said second vacuum path toward said sample basket. (a) a driver assembly configured to be grasped by a user, including: an electromechanical power source; a vacuum source; and a first vacuum path permanently associated with said vacuum source, said first vacuum path having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being fixedly coupled to said vacuum source in fluid communication therewith, said first vacuum path having a first one-way valve configured and arranged to permit a negative pressure fluid flow toward said vacuum source and to prevent a positive pressure fluid flow away from said vacuum source toward said distal end; and an electromechanical power source; a vacuum source; and a first vacuum path permanently associated with said vacuum source, said first vacuum path having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being fixedly coupled to said vacuum source in fluid communication therewith, said first vacuum path having a first one-way valve configured and arranged to permit a negative pressure fluid flow toward said vacuum source and to prevent a positive pressure fluid flow away from said vacuum source toward said distal end; and (b) a disposable biopsy probe assembly configured for releasable attachment to said driver assembly, said disposable biopsy probe assembly including: a transmission device configured for driving engagement with said electromechanical power source; and a biopsy probe drivably coupled to said transmission device, said biopsy probe having a sample basket for receiving a biopsy tissue sample, characterized in that the disposable biopsy probe assembly further includes a second vacuum path having a first end and a second end, said first end being configured for removable attachment to said distal end of said first vacuum path and said second end being coupled in fluid communication with said sample basket, said second vacuum path having a second one-way valve configured and arranged to permit the negative pressure fluid flow from said sample basket and to redundantly prevent the positive pressure fluid flow from said first end of said second vacuum path toward said sample basket. a transmission device configured for driving engagement with said electromechanical power source; and a biopsy probe drivably coupled to said transmission device, said biopsy probe having a sample basket for receiving a biopsy tissue sample, characterized in that the disposable biopsy probe assembly further includes a second vacuum path having a first end and a second end, said first end being configured for removable attachment to said distal end of said first vacuum path and said second end being coupled in fluid communication with said sample basket, said second vacuum path having a second one-way valve configured and arranged to permit the negative pressure fluid flow from said sample basket and to redundantly prevent the positive pressure fluid flow from said first end of said second vacuum path toward said sample basket.