Filter for fine needle biopsy

A method for performing a needle biopsy, comprising:

• advancing a biopsy needle with a tissue penetrating distal tip to penetrate a target portion of tissue to capture a sample of the target tissue within an opening at a distal end of a longitudinal body of the biopsy needle, the longitudinal body including a first lumen extending therethrough, the longitudinal body slidably received in a second lumen of an outer tube, the longitudinal body having an outer diameter selected to form a space between an inner surface of the second lumen and an outer surface of the longitudinal body, the biopsy needle further including a stylet, the stylet including a distal end operably connected to a proximal end of the longitudinal body such that the stylet is slidably insertable into the first lumen;
• and
• reducing a pressure within the first lumen to pass fluids through a plurality of openings extending through the longitudinal body, the openings permitting fluid communication between the first and second lumens, a size of the openings being selected to permit the openings to operate as a filter permitting the fluids to pass from the second lumen to the space while preventing the captured tissue from passing therethrough.