Patent ID: 8808198

Claim:
A biopsy device, comprising: (a) a probe assembly comprising an elongated cannula, the cannula comprising: (i) a closed distal end, wherein the closed distal end comprises a sharp tip, (ii) an open proximal end, (iii) a first lumen in fluid communication with the open proximal end, and (iv) a side aperture located proximal to the closed distal end, wherein the side aperture is in fluid communication with the first lumen; (b) an obturator, wherein the obturator is removably insertable in the first lumen through the open proximal end, wherein the obturator is configured to substantially block the side aperture when the obturator is inserted in the first lumen; and (c) a handpiece, wherein the handpiece comprises: (i) a body, wherein the body is selectively attachable to the probe assembly, and (ii) a cutter, wherein the cutter is operable to translate within the first lumen when the body is attached to the probe assembly, wherein the cutter is configured to fully retract within the body; wherein a distal end of the handpiece is configured to be removably coupled with a proximal end of the probe assembly; wherein the handpiece is coupled to the proximal end of the probe assembly when the obturator is removed from the first lumen, wherein a distal end of the cutter is proximal to the proximal end of the probe assembly when the cutter is fully retracted within the body of the handpiece.