Patent ID: 6942627

Claim:
A medical device for obtaining a tissue sample, the device comprising: an elongated piercing element having a lumen extending at least partially through the elongated piercing element, wherein said elongated piercing element comprises a proximal end, a distal end having a tip for piercing tissue, and a lateral tissue receiving port communicating with the lumen; an elongated cutter having a proximal end, a distal end for cutting tissue, and a body connecting the distal and proximal ends, wherein said distal end is disposed coaxially within the said lumen of said piercing element, wherein at least a portion of said body comprises a flexible member, and wherein at least a portion of said flexible member and said proximal end of the cutter are disposed outside of said lumen of said piercing element; a cutter driver for providing powered rotation of said cutter; and a frame, said frame having a proximal end removably mounted to said cutter driver, said frame having a distal end associated with said proximal end of said elongated piercing element, and said frame having a passageway extending at least partly therethrough for receiving said cutter.