Surgical biopsy device having automatic rotation of the probe for taking multiple samples

A biopsy probe for collection of at least one soft tissue sample from a surgical patient, said biopsy probe comprising:

• a. a frame having a distal end and a proximal end;
• b. an elongated piercing element attached to the distal end of said frame, said piercing element having a sharpened distal end and a port proximal thereto for receiving a tissue mass;
• c. an elongated Cutter disposed within said piercing element, for harvesting a tissue mass received within said port of said piercing element;
• and
• d. a means for automatically axially rotating said piercing element after severing a sample, wherein said means for automatically axially rotating said piercing element is at least partially disposed on said cutter, and whereby multiple samples can be harvested about a longitudinal axis of said piercing element without manually rotating said piercing element.

A method for rotating a biopsy probe about a longitudinal axis thereof comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a biopsy probe comprising an elongated piercing element having a sharpened distal end and a port proximal thereto, and an elongated tubular cutter disposed coaxially and slidably within a lumen of said piercing element, said cuter having a cutting blade attached to a distal end thereof;
• b. covering said port of said piercing element by advancing said cutter to a first distal position;
• c. inserting said probe within a patient;
• d. exposing said port of said piercing element by withdrawing said cutter to a first proximal position, and thereafter placing tissue within said port;
• e. placing a tissue sample within said cutter by rotating and advancing said cutter to said first distal position;
• f. rotating said piercing element a predetermined number of degrees by advancing said cutter to a second distal position, distal to said first distal position, and thereafter rotating said cutter said predetermined number of degrees to affect rotation of said piercing element;
• and
• g. withdrawing said cutter to a second proximal position which is proximal to said first proximal position and retrieving the tissue sample.