Patent ID: 7938786

Claim:
A method of controlling a biopsy device to obtain a tissue sample, wherein the biopsy device comprises a cannula having a first lumen, a second lumen, and a transverse tissue receiving aperture defined by a distal edge and a proximal edge, wherein the first lumen is in fluid communication with the second lumen through at least one opening, wherein tissue receiving aperture is in fluid communication with the first lumen, the biopsy device further comprising a cutter translatable relative to the cannula, the cutter defining a cutter lumen, wherein the cutter is disposed in the first lumen, the method comprising: (a) retracting the cutter proximally, from a position distal to the distal edge of the aperture to a first position proximal to the distal edge of the aperture; (b) drawing a vacuum through the cutter lumen during at least part of the act of retracting the cutter proximally, to draw tissue through the aperture; (c) drawing a vacuum through the second lumen during at least part of the act of retracting the cutter proximally; (d) advancing the cutter distally to a position distal to the distal edge of the aperture to complete a cutting stroke to sever tissue drawn through the aperture; (e) reciprocating the cutter at least once after completion of the cutting stroke, wherein the act of reciprocating comprises retracting the cutter proximally to a second position proximal to the distal edge of the aperture and advancing the cutter to a position distal to the distal edge of the aperture, wherein the second position proximal to the distal edge of the aperture is distal to the first position proximal to the distal edge of the aperture; and (f) venting the second lumen to atmosphere during at least part of the act of reciprocating the cutter at least once after completion of the cutting stroke, wherein the acts of reciprocating the cutter and venting the second lumen to atmosphere facilitate communication of the severed tissue proximally through the cutter lumen; wherein steps (a) through (f) are all performed as part of a single tissue sampling cycle to obtain a single tissue sample.