Apparatus and method for removing tissue

Abstract

A surgical apparatus for removing tissue, which includes a housing, an elongated body which extends from the housing and forms an opening at a distal end, the elongated body further forming a tissue receiving cavity in communication with the opening, a cutting member operatively associated with the housing and movable transverse to the elongated body in proximity to the opening, and a tissue retaining member positioned in proximity to the opening and the cutting member, the retaining member being selectively movable from a retracted position to a deployed position, wherein when positioned in the deployed position, the tissue retaining member obstructs at least a portion of the opening at the distal end of the elongated body. A method is also provided for surgically removing tissue including the steps of positioning a tissue removing instrument including an elongated housing having a tissue receiving cavity at a distal end, a first tissue cutting surface longitudinally movable relative to the elongated housing distal end, an obturator having a sharpened distal end portion such that the sharpened end portion is positioned adjacent the tissue to be removed and a second tissue cutting surface transversely movable relative to the elongated housing, removing the obturator from the elongated housing, coring the tissue to be removed, severing the cored tissue from the surrounding tissue with the second cutting surface, and removing the severed tissue from the patient.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A biopsy apparatus which comprises: 
 a coring cannula having a proximal portion and a distal portion which defines a tissue receiving cavity in communication with an opening, the coring cannula including a sharpened cutting edge disposed at the distal portion;    an elongated penetrating member having a plurality of cutting surfaces extending from a distal end thereof, the elongated penetrating member being disposed within the coring cannula such that the plurality of cutting surfaces extend beyond a distal end of the distal portion of the coring cannula; and    a tissue cutting member having a cutting portion which moves transverse to the coring cannula in proximity to the opening to effect severing of a tissue sample disposed in the tissue receiving cavity.