TISSUE SAMPLE COLLECTION SYSTEM WITH VISUAL SAMPLE INSPECTION

摘要

A biopsy device for harvesting at least one tissue sample from a body of a living being comprises a hollow needle (110) with an end portion adapted to be introduced into the body, and a cutting mechanism for severing the tissue sample. A sample-receiving device is provided for receiving the severed tissue sample, the sample-receiving device being receivable in the hollow needle and movable therein between an extended position and a retracted position. The biopsy device further includes a tissue sample-collecting device (104; 204) comprising at least one tissue-retaining cavity, and an ejector system for ejecting the tissue sample from the tissue sample-receiving device into one of the tissue-retaining cavities. An inspection system (178) allows an operator of the biopsy device to visually inspect the ejected tissue sample, while the hollow needle remains in the body. The sample- collecting device (104; 204) may include a drum, which is rotatable relative to the sample- receiving device such that different tissue samples harvested at different times can be accommodated in seaparate ones of the tissue-retaining cavities.