Biopsy instrument with tissue specimen retaining and retrieval device

A biopsy instrument, comprising

• a tissue penetrating device including an elongate holder and first cutting means arranged at an end of said holder for penetrating tissue, said tissue penetrating device comprising a hand grip section arranged at an end of said holder opposite to said end at which said first cutting means are arranged and a middle section arranged between said hand grip section and said cutting means, said middle section being substantially cylindrical and having friction grip enhancing means, said friction grip enhancing means comprising circumferential grooves arranged on an outer peripheral surface of said middle section and oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said tissue penetrating device, said middle section having an outer peripheral surface and including a longitudinal channel recessed inwardly of said outer peripheral surface, and
• a specimen retaining and retrieval device detachably connected to said middle section of said holder for receiving and retaining a specimen of tissue cut by first cutting means, said specimen retaining and retrieval device comprises a longitudinal projection extending outward from a bottom surface thereof corresponding in size and shape to said longitudinal channel in said middle section of said tissue penetrating device such that said projection of said specimen retaining and retrieval is insertable into said longitudinal channel of said tissue penetrating device.