Variable stiffness aspiration needle

A needle for collecting a tissue sample, comprising:

• a needle body extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end including a sharp tip for penetrating a tissue, the needle body including a channel extending therethrough for collecting the tissue sample therein when the distal end is inserted into the tissue, a distal portion of the needle body having a first stiffness and a proximal portion of the needle body having a second stiffness less than the first stiffness;
• and
• a sleeve extending along a length of the needle body to cover the proximal portion.

A needle for collecting a tissue sample, comprising a needle body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and including a channel extending therethrough, the distal end including a sharp tip so that the distal end is insertable into a tissue to collect the tissue sample within the channel, a distal portion of the needle body having a first stiffness and a proximal portion of the needle body being configured as a spring so that the proximal portion has a second stiffness less than the first stiffness.

A method, comprising:

• cutting a pattern through at least a portion of a wall defining a proximal portion of a needle body so that the proximal portion of the needle body has a stiffness smaller than a stiffness of a distal portion of the needle body, the needle body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and including a channel extending therethrough, the distal end including a sharp tip;
• and
• placing a sleeve along a length of the needle body.