Multi-motion side cutting biopsy sampling device

An instrument for obtaining multiple tissue samples from a body, the instrument comprising:

• an outer member defining a first opening along a side of the outer member;
• an inner member disposed within the outer member, the inner member defining a storage space therein for storage of multiple tissue samples, the inner member including a cutting edge defining a second opening along a side of the inner member, the inner member being rotatably disposed relative to the outer member so that the cutting edge severs a tissue sample extending within the first and second openings, the inner member being axially displaceable relative to the outer member so that axial displacement of the inner member in a proximal direction moves a severed tissue sample into the storage space for storage with additional tissue samples;
• and
• a retention member proximate the storage space and axially displaceable relative to the inner member for contacting and retaining a severed tissue sample in a stationary axial position in the storage space upon axial displacement of the inner member in a distal direction relative to the outer member and the retention member.

A method of severing and storing multiple tissue samples comprising:

• providing a surgical instrument having an outer member, an inner member, and a retention member, the outer member defining a first opening along a side of the outer member, the inner member being disposed within the outer member, defining a storage space in the inner member for storage of multiple tissue samples, and including a cutting edge defining a second opening along a side of the inner member, the retention member being proximate the storage space and axially displaceable relative to the inner member;
• positioning a tissue sample within the first opening and the second opening;
• rotating the inner member relative to the outer member so that the cutting edge severs the tissue sample;
• axially displacing the inner member relative to the outer member in the proximal direction to move the severed tissue sample into the storage space;
• contacting the severed tissue sample with the retention member to retain the severed tissue sample in the storage space as the inner member is axially displaced relative to the outer member in the distal direction to align the first and second openings;
• and repeating the positioning, rotating, axially displacing, and contacting steps to sever and store additional tissue samples.