Patent ID: 7794410

Claim:
A method of collecting a sample of material from a body, comprising the steps of: providing a device for obtaining the sample of material, the device comprising: a tubular body portion having an open distal end and defining a chamber for receiving the sample of material therein; a plunger assembly operatively associated with the tubular body portion and having a stopper slidably disposed within the chamber of the body portion, the stopper being adapted for fluid tight engagement with the body portion; feedback elements provided on at least one of the tubular body portion and the plunger assembly for providing a user of the sampling device with at least one of audible and tactile indications regarding an amount of displacement of the plunger assembly relative to the body portion; and a plurality of cutting elements extending radially inwardly from the open distal end of the tubular body portion and angled into the tubular body portion, each of the cutting elements having an unsupported free end disposed within the tubular body portion, wherein the cutting element includes: a pair of opposed arms extending toward the longitudinal central axis of the body portion; and a third arm extending beyond the longitudinal central axis of the body portion, the third arm being disposed at a substantially equi-distant location between the pair of opposed arms; placing the open distal end of the device against the material from which the sample is to be taken; driving the body portion into the material an amount sufficient for a sample of the material to enter the chamber of the body portion; rotating the body portion about a longitudinal axis thereof an amount sufficient for the cutting element to sever the sample of material from the remainder of the material; and withdrawing the device from the remainder of the material.