Biopsy needle with sample retaining means

Claim 1

A kit for acquiring a sample of tissue comprising: (a) a biopsy needle configuration including, (1) a needle having a distal end, a proximal end and a lumen extending from said distal end to said proximal end; and (2) a handle having a distal end, a proximal end and a bore extending from said distal end to said proximal end with the proximal end of said lumen of said needle being in fluid communication with the distal end of said bore of said handle, said proximal end of said bore of said handle including a tapered section, said tapered section defining a generally conical surface of increasing diameter from a point distal of said proximal end of said handle to said proximal end of said handle; (b) a stylet having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end including a cutting edge formed thereon, said stylet sized for removable disposition through said bore of said handle and said lumen of said needle, wherein in a fully inserted position, the distal end of said stylet extends beyond the distal end of said needle so that said cutting edge is exposed; (c) said stylet and said needle configuration further including, (1) means for preventing rotation of said stylet relative to said needle when said stylet is in said fully inserted position; and (2) means for releasably securing said stylet in said fully inserted position; and (d) an aspirator bulb, said aspirator bulb having a distal end with a conical taper of decreasing diameter approximating the conical surface of said bore, and a transition region which provides fluid communication between a distal end of said aspirator bulb and an internal volume thereof, said transition region including at least one low channel which is angularly offset from said lumen of said needle to prevent plugging, wherein, in use, said aspirator bulb is sealably positionable within the conical portion of said bore to provide suction during said sampling of said tissue to retain said sample within said lumen of said needle.