Patent ID: 8568335

Claim:
A biopsy device, comprising: (a) an elongate needle defining an internal passage, the elongate needle having a distal end; (b) a proximal portion attached to the elongate needle positionable to insert the elongate needle into tissue; (c) a cutter reciprocally received by the elongate needle to sever a tissue sample received in the elongate needle; (d) a vacuum conduit attached to the proximal portion in communication with the internal passage and configured to be coupled to a vacuum source; (e) a tip at the distal end of the elongate needle; and (f) a plurality of openings communicating between an exterior of the tip and the internal passage, the plurality of openings being sized to admit fluid and to resist prolapse of tissue; wherein the biopsy device is operable to communicate one or more severed tissue samples proximally through the cutter, relative to the elongate needle and relative to the cutter.