Patent ID: 8147487

Claim:
An elongated device for separation of a tissue specimen from a target tissue site, comprising: a. an elongated probe which has a proximal end, a distal end, an inner lumen extending within the probe and which has a distal extremity tube portion, the distal extremity tube portion defining a wall and having a plurality of aspiration ports positioned around a periphery defined by the wall, the plurality of aspiration ports being in fluid communication with the inner lumen extending within the probe and the distal extremity tube portion having a transverse dimension less than portions of the probe distal to the distal extremity tube portion, the distal end having a penetrating tip; and b. a tissue-cutting blade which is at least partially disposed about the elongated probe, which lies in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the probe, which has an inner dimension greater than the transverse dimension of the distal extremity tube portion of the probe, and which is configured for longitudinal and rotational movement along a length of the distal extremity tube portion of the probe.