A biopsy device includes an elongate tube comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen. The biopsy device further includes a cutting member disposed in an opening of the distal end of the elongate tube, the cutting member being immovable relative to the elongate tube. The cutting member comprises a blunting surface that faces outward from the elongate tube, and a hollow truncated cone having a truncated end comprising a cutting surface that maintains a fixed radial distance from the elongate tube and that faces into the elongate tube and away from the distal end of the elongate tube, wherein the cutting surface has a contiguous perimeter, and wherein the truncated end is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate tube such that the cutting member has a shape of a right circular hollow cone or an oblique oval hollow cone.

The invention relates to a skin microbe sampler comprising: a plurality of solid microneedles extending from a support surface, wherein the microneedles are dimensioned to penetrate the epidermis and/or dermis layer of the skin to obtain microbes residing in the skin. In particular, in one embodiment, the microneedles comprise a cone shape that is substantially devoid of patterning on the surface of said cone shape, in another embodiment, the surfaces of the microneedles comprise an adhesion coating on their surfaces for enhancing adhesion of the microbes on the microneedles. Also provided are a method of sampling microbes residing in a skin, a method of making the microbe sampler, and a mold for making the microbe sampler. In particular, in one embodiment, the method of making the microbe sampler comprises 3D printing the solid microneedles and/or molding the solid microneedles from a negative imprint of the solid microneedles.

A method of using a biopsy apparatus includes moving a stylet cannula relative to a vacuum cannula between a first extended position and a first retracted position; and receiving a protrusion member within a flared portion of the vacuum cannula when the stylet cannula is in the first retracted position.

A core needle biopsy device includes a needle assembly, a drive assembly, and a tissue sample holder. The needle assembly includes a piercer and a hollow cutter. The piercer includes a sharp distal tip and a notch proximal to the distal tip. The piercer is slidably disposed within the cutter to sever a tissue sample into the notch of the piercer. The drive assembly is configured to selectively move the piercer and the cutter. The tissue sample holder has a sample chamber, a drive member, and a wiper. The driver being configured to bend the wiper against a portion of the biopsy device to manipulate a severed tissue sample into the sample chamber.

A tissue core sample in a metal core collector or stylet is touched to a substrate channel filled with as special liquid such as a hydrogel to which the tissue core sample is attracted to thereby transfer the tissue sample to the channel while preserving the integrity of the sample, speeding up the transfer and preserving the sample orientation so it can be unambiguously associated with its anatomical origin.

An improved flexible endoscopic instrument to precisely and efficiently obtains samples of flat polyps and multiple polyps from a patient by debriding one or more polyps and retrieving the debrided polyps without having to alternate between using a separate cutting tool and a separate sample retrieving tool and may be used with an endoscope. In one aspect, the cutting tool is coupled to a flexible torque coil or torque rope that is configured to transfer rotational energy from a powered actuator through the length of the endoscope onto the cutting tool.

A biopsy device, comprising a flexible coaxial structure, comprising a wire within a sheath, the wire being adapted to be displaced with respect to the sheath along the coaxial axis by a force applied at a proximal end; a disruptor, at a distal end of the obturator, adapted to disrupt a tissue surface to free cells therefrom, having a first position covered within the sheath and a second position freely extending beyond the sheath; an element, on an exterior of the sheath, configured to limit a depth of insertion of the sheath into a body orifice.

An endoscope system for delivering a fluid to a patient and retrieving for diagnostic purposes from the patient a specimen. The system includes an endoscope, a fluid container containing a fluid, and a first specimen container for receiving a specimen. The endoscope system has a first user selectable state and a second user selectable state, where the endoscope system in the first user selectable state is configured to automatically deliver the fluid from the fluid container to the patient and in the second user selectable state is configured to automatically retrieve a specimen from the patient and provide the specimen to the first specimen container.

An improved endoscopic tool easily and efficiently obtains samples of multiple polyps from a patient by debriding one or more polyps and retrieving the debrided polyps without having to alternate between using a separate cutting tool and a separate sample retrieving tool and may be used with an endoscope.

A specimen collector for gathering tissue specimens includes a housing extending along a first axis between a first opening and a second opening to define a hollow interior. An inlet port and an outlet port are located axially between the first and second openings. A specimen tray defines a first specimen well and a second specimen well and is slideably disposed within the housing and axially slideable between a first position to dispose the first specimen well in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet ports and a second position to dispose the second specimen well in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet ports. The specimen tray comprises a pair of tray components each defining a respective one of the first and second wells and jointly slideable. The pair of tray components are separable from one another and each individually removable from the housing.