Patent ID: 7854706

Claim:
A biopsy device, wherein the biopsy device comprises: (a) a needle, wherein the needle comprises: (i) a tissue piercing tip, (ii) a first lumen configured to receive a cutter, (iii) a transverse tissue receiving aperture in fluid communication with the first lumen, and (iv) a second lumen, wherein the second lumen is in fluid communication with the first lumen; (b) a handpiece, wherein the needle extends from the handpiece; (c) a cutter, wherein the cutter is rotatable and translatable within the first lumen of the needle, wherein the cutter has a length; (d) a valving mechanism configured to selectively redirect fluid communication to the second lumen, wherein the valving mechanism is located within the handpiece, wherein the valving mechanism comprises a manifold and a valving member within the manifold, wherein the manifold defines a hollow interior and comprises a plurality of ports extending laterally from the hollow interior of the manifold and in fluid communication with the hollow interior, wherein the manifold and the valving member are disposed about the cutter and are coaxially aligned with the cutter, wherein the valving member coaxially disposed within the hollow interior of the manifold and is operable to translate within the hollow interior of the manifold along a portion of the length of the cutter, wherein the valving member is configured to selectively seal or couple a first port of the plurality of ports relative to a second port of the plurality of ports based on the longitudinal position of the valving member within the hollow interior of the manifold; (e) a motor; and (f) a clutching mechanism configured to selectively engage the motor with the cutter.