Tissue sampling device

A tissue sampling device for removing tissue from a target area in a body comprising:

• a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the shaft also having a length extending in a direction along the longitudinal axis, an outer surface of the shaft extending lengthwise of the shaft,
• the outer surface including two first portions extending lengthwise of the shaft and two second portions extending lengthwise of the shaft, each first portion of the outer surface being associated with a different second portion and being spaced apart from its associated second portion by a predetermined distance, each first portion of the outer surface at least partially defining a cutting edge extending lengthwise of the shaft,
• the shaft further including two tissue-receiving surfaces extending lengthwise of the shaft, each first portion of the outer surface and its associated second portion being associated with a different tissue-receiving surface, each tissue-receiving surface defining a depression for receiving a sample of tissue removed from the target area by the cutting edge defined by its associated first portion of the outer surface when the shaft is rotated about its longitudinal axis in the target area, each tissue-receiving surface extending from adjacent its associated first portion of the outer surface toward its associated second portion of the outer surface for a majority of the predetermined distance between its associated first portion and its associated second portion and providing a continuous surface free of any opening,
• the outer surface of the shaft having a generally elliptical shape when viewed in cross section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the elliptical shape having a major axis and a minor axis, each cutting edge being located at the outer surface adjacent the major axis of the elliptical shape.

A tissue sampling device for removing tissue from a target area in a body comprising:

• a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the shaft also having a length extending in a direction along the longitudinal axis, an outer surface of the shaft extending lengthwise of the shaft,
• the outer surface including two first portions extending lengthwise of the shaft and two second portions extending lengthwise of the shaft, each first portion of the outer surface being associated with a different second portion and being spaced apart from its associated second portion by a predetermined distance, each first portion of the outer surface at least partially defining a cutting edge extending in a straight line lengthwise of the shaft,
• the shaft further including two tissue-receiving surfaces extending lengthwise of the shaft, each first portion of the outer surface and its associated second portion being associated with a different tissue-receiving surface, each tissue-receiving surface defining a depression for receiving a sample of tissue removed from the target area by the cutting edge defined by its associated first portion of the outer surface when the shaft is rotated about its longitudinal axis in the target area, each tissue-receiving surface extending from adjacent its associated first portion of the outer surface toward its associated second portion of the outer surface for a majority of the predetermined distance between its associated first portion and its associated second portion and providing a continuous surface free of any opening,
• each tissue-receiving surface and each cutting edge being movable radially relative to a portion of the shaft adjacent the proximal end of the shaft while maintaining the cutting edge in a straight line.