A biopsy system , comprising: a percutaneous biopsy needle with an internal passageway extending through a length thereof, the percutaneous biopsy needle including a distal portion with a tapered portion , the internal passageway including an expandable section within the tapered portion , the expandable section including a plurality of slits extending through the distal portion of the percutaneous biopsy needle to define a plurality of leaves that are circumferentially adjacent to one another and that are configured to be forced radially outward from one another; and an inner cannula configured to move coaxially through the internal passageway through the percutaneous biopsy needle , a distal portion of the inner cannula configured to force the plurality of leaves of the expandable section radially outward as the distal portion of the inner cannula is positioned within the expandable section of the internal passageway , at least one leaf of the plurality of leaves including a sharpened edge (28"); and at least one aperture (58") through the inner cannula the biopsy system being characterized in that the at least one aperture (58") is positionable adjacent to at least one aslit of the plurality of slits located between adjacent, expanded leaves of the distal portion of the percutaneous biopsy needle upon rotation of the inner cannula within the internal passageway through the percutaneous biopsy needle , the at least one slit of the plurality of slits being configured to receive a sample aspirated into and extending through the at least one aperture (58") of the inner cannula and to pull the sample across the sharpened edge of the at least one leaf of the plurality of leaves as the inner cannula rotates within the internal passageway of the percutaneous biopsy needle to cut the sample and to enable a portion of the sample to be aspirated into a channel (56") of the inner cannula . a percutaneous biopsy needle with an internal passageway extending through a length thereof, the percutaneous biopsy needle including a distal portion with a tapered portion , the internal passageway including an expandable section within the tapered portion , the expandable section including a plurality of slits extending through the distal portion of the percutaneous biopsy needle to define a plurality of leaves that are circumferentially adjacent to one another and that are configured to be forced radially outward from one another; and an inner cannula configured to move coaxially through the internal passageway through the percutaneous biopsy needle , a distal portion of the inner cannula configured to force the plurality of leaves of the expandable section radially outward as the distal portion of the inner cannula is positioned within the expandable section of the internal passageway , at least one leaf of the plurality of leaves including a sharpened edge (28"); and at least one aperture (58") through the inner cannula the biopsy system being characterized in that the at least one aperture (58") is positionable adjacent to at least one aslit of the plurality of slits located between adjacent, expanded leaves of the distal portion of the percutaneous biopsy needle upon rotation of the inner cannula within the internal passageway through the percutaneous biopsy needle , the at least one slit of the plurality of slits being configured to receive a sample aspirated into and extending through the at least one aperture (58") of the inner cannula and to pull the sample across the sharpened edge of the at least one leaf of the plurality of leaves as the inner cannula rotates within the internal passageway of the percutaneous biopsy needle to cut the sample and to enable a portion of the sample to be aspirated into a channel (56") of the inner cannula . <EOS>