Patent ID: 8109885

Claim:
A biopsy device for taking tissue samples, comprising: a housing containing an electric power source and a tension slide, wherein the tension slide is configured to be moved to a cocked position against the action of a first spring, the tension slide configured to be locked in the cocked position by a releasable locking mechanism; a removable element configured for insertion into the housing to couple the electric power source to the tension slide, comprising: a biopsy needle unit, comprising a hollow biopsy needle having a sample removal chamber, and a cutting sheath coaxially arranged with the hollow biopsy needle, the cutting sheath having a cutting edge, wherein the biopsy needle unit is arranged on the tension slide, and wherein the electric power source is configured to rotate the cutting sheath to move the tension slide; a vacuum pressure-generating device; and a connection element connecting the biopsy needle unit and the vacuum pressure-generating device; and a control panel attached to the housing, the control panel having a first control device configured to control the electric power source to position the tension slide in the cocked position, and the control panel having a second control device configured to release the releasable locking mechanism when the tension slide is in the cocked position such that the tension slide is moved by the first spring away from the cocked position.