Patent ID: 7740594

Claim:
A biopsy device comprising: a probe assembly comprising a cutter assembly and a cannula; wherein the cutter assembly comprises a hollow cutter having a lumen having an inner diameter, the cutter disposed for translation and rotation with respect to the cannula, wherein the cutter has a proximal end and a distal end; a drive assembly for providing at least one of translation and rotation of the cutter; wherein the probe assembly comprises a proximal opening for receiving the hollow cutter; and further comprising a non-rotating tube having a lumen aligned with the cutter lumen, wherein the lumen of the non-rotating tube has an inner diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the cutter lumen, and wherein the non-rotating tube has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the non-rotating tube is disposed proximally of the cutter such that the distal end of the non-rotating tube is positioned at the proximal end of the cutter, a seal associated with the proximal end of the cutter, the seal permitting the cutter and non-rotating tube to translate together; and wherein the hollow cutter is insertable in the probe assembly through the proximal opening of the probe assembly.