abstract |
According to one embodiment, a biopsy needle for removal of tissue from a patient includes an outer tube having a distal end and an inner tube disposed within the outer tube. The needle includes a capturing mechanism that has a variable diameter for capturing a tissue specimen. The capturing mechanism includes a distal first end that is fixed relative to the distal end of the outer tube and an opposing proximal end that is attached to the inner tube. The inner tube is free to move longitudinally within and relative to the outer tube, whereby longitudinal movement of the inner tube causes activation of the capturing mechanism resulting in the closing and opening, respectively, of the capturing mechanism to capture and release the specimen, respectively. |