Patent ID: 7276032

Claim:
A method of providing a biopsy sample comprising: providing an outer cannula having a cutter lumen, a side tissue port communicating with the cutter lumen, and a fluid passageway distal of the side tissue port and spaced circumferentially from the side tissue port; providing a hollow cutter disposed for translation within the cutter lumen; providing a second lumen, wherein the second lumen is parallel to the cutter lumen, wherein the second lumen is in fluid communication with the cutter lumen via the fluid passageway; drawing tissue into the side tissue port, wherein the act of drawing tissue comprises: (i) inducing a vacuum in the cutter lumen, and (ii) inducing a vacuum in the second lumen; translating a distal end of the cutter past the side tissue port to sever a tissue sample; directing a fluid through the fluid passageway to push the severed tissue sample through the cutter.