Patent ID: 8728003

Claim:
A single-insertion, multiple sample biopsy device, comprising: a stylet extending along a longitudinal axis between a distal end and a proximal end, the stylet having a tip at the distal end and a hollow interior volume extending from a biopsy port proximate the distal end to the proximal end, the biopsy port being configured to receive tissue; a cutting cannula that surrounds a portion of the stylet and movable along the longitudinal axis; an intermediate sleeve coaxially disposed between the stylet and the cutting cannula, the intermediate sleeve being configured to selectively open and close the biopsy port; a lumen disposed in the interior volume of the stylet; a bulkhead coupled to a distal end of the lumen; a transport subassembly coupled to the lumen and to the intermediate sleeve to move the bulkhead and the intermediate sleeve relative to each other along the longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end; and a fluid pumping mechanism configured to pump fluid into the hollow interior volume of the stylet when the intermediate sleeve partly covers the biopsy port, thereby causing fluid to enter the biopsy port at the distal end thereof and flow along the stylet in a proximal direction.