Patent ID: 7207950

Claim:
An aspirating needle for collecting a specimen comprising: an elongated hollow body that includes a first lumen portion and a second lumen portion, the first lumen portion being open at both ends for placement at a specimen site to collect and permit aspiration of the specimen from the specimen site, the second lumen having first and second vent ports, with the second vent port being formed along the elongated body such that that when the needle is placed at the specimen site, the second vent port is positioned at the specimen site, the first vent port being in fluid communication with atmospheric air when the needle is positioned at the specimen site so as to permit pressure within the specimen site to equilibrate with atmospheric pressure by means of the venting action of the second lumen; a handle that is part of the elongated body to permit a force to be applied to the needle for directing the needle to the specimen site; an elongated stylet for insertion into the first lumen; a locking mechanism for selectively locking and restricting axial movement of the stylet relative to the first lumen; and a filter disposed within the second lumen to remove particles drawn into the second lumen during an aspiration procedure.