Patent ID: 8360990

Claim:
A device for accessing and collecting tissue from a target site within a patient, comprising: a. an elongated probe which has a central longitudinal axis, which has a proximal end configured to be secured to a drive, which has an inner lumen extending therein, which has a distal end and which has an aperture proximal to the distal end configured to receive tissue from the target site; b. a tissue penetrating tip on the distal end which has i. an enlarged base secured to the distal end of the elongated probe, ii. a sharp distal point distal to the base that lies on the central longitudinal axis, iii. a first concave surface having a center line extending distally from the base to the sharp distal point, iv. a second concave surface which has a center line extending distally from the base to the sharp distal point and which intersects the first concave surface forming therewith a first concave curved cutting edge that lies in a plane that is parallel to and passing through the central longitudinal axis and that extends distally from the base to the sharp distal point, and v. a third concave surface which has a center line extending distally from the base to the sharp distal point and which intersects the first concave surface forming therewith a second concave curved cutting edge that lies in a plane parallel to and passing through the central longitudinal axis and that extends distally from the base to the sharp distal point and which intersects the second concave surface forming therewith a third concave curved cutting edge that lies in a plane parallel to and passing through the central longitudinal axis and that extends distally from the base to the sharp distal point; and c. a tubular tissue cutting member which is disposed within the elongated probe member and which is configured to cut a tissue specimen from tissue extending into the tissue receiving aperture of the elongated probe.