Patent ID: 8540645

Claim:
A biopsy device, comprising: a housing; a needle set mounted to the housing, the needle set comprising a needle defining proximal end, a distal end and a tissue-receiving opening, the needle movable relative to the housing; and a cutting element defining a proximal end, an open distal end and a cutting edge at the open distal end, the cutting element moveable relative to the housing, wherein the cutting element is configured to sever tissue projecting into the tissue-receiving opening; and an actuator assembly at least partially disposed in the housing, the actuator assembly comprising a first magnetic member fixed with respect to the housing, and second and third magnetic members movable with respect to the housing, wherein the second magnetic member is coupled to a first one of the needle and cutting element, and wherein the second magnetic member is magnetically attracted to the first magnetic member so as to move the first one of the needle or cutting element from a retracted position to an extended position, and wherein the third magnetic member is coupled to a second one of the needle and cutting element, and wherein the third magnetic member is repelled from the first magnetic member so as to move the second one of the needle or cutting element from a retracted position to an extended position.