Self-contained handheld biopsy needle

1. A method of operating a biopsy device in obtaining at least one tissue sample, comprising:

inserting a sampling probe having a first component and a second component into a biological tissue mass, the first component and the second component being rotatable relative to each other, the first component having a sample chamber and a side port that opens to the sample chamber, and the second component having a side opening;

generating a vacuum in the sample chamber during a first drive interval;

rotating at least one of the first component and the second component of the sampling probe during a second drive interval until the side port of the first component and the side opening of the second component are in radial alignment; and

rotating at least one of the first component and the second component of the sampling probe during a third drive interval to sever tissue drawn by vacuum into the sample chamber to deposit a tissue sample in the sample chamber.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first drive interval overlaps the second drive interval.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first drive interval overlaps the third drive interval.

4. The method of claim 1 , comprising:

generating a positive pressure in the sample chamber during a fourth drive interval; and

rotating at least one of the first component and the second component of the sampling probe during a fifth drive interval until the side port of the first component and the side opening of the second component again are in radial alignment to release the positive pressure in the sample chamber to expel the tissue sample from the sample chamber.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the fourth drive interval overlaps the fifth drive interval.

6. The method of claim 4 , comprising operating a prime mover to drive a first transmission during the first drive interval to operate a pump to generate the vacuum in the sample chamber.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the prime mover comprises a motor, and further comprising a controller configured to selectively operate the motor in forward and reverse directions.

8. The method of claim 6 , comprising driving a second transmission during the second drive interval to rotate at least one of the first component and the second component of the sampling probe until the side port of the first component and the side opening of the component are in radial alignment.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first drive interval overlaps the second drive interval.

10. The method of claim 8 , comprising driving the second transmission during the third drive interval to rotate at least one of first component and the second component of the sampling probe to sever tissue drawn by vacuum into the sample chamber.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first drive interval overlaps the third drive interval.

12. The method of claim 10 , comprising operating the prime mover to drive the first transmission during the fourth drive interval to operate the pump to generate the positive pressure in the sample chamber.

13. The method of claim 12 , comprising driving the second transmission during the fifth drive interval to rotate at least one of the first component and the second component of the sampling probe until the side port of the first component and the side opening of the second component again are in radial alignment to release the positive pressure in the sample chamber to expel the tissue sample from the sample chamber.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the fourth drive interval overlaps the fifth drive interval.

15. A method for operating a biopsy device, comprising:

providing a biopsy needle having a first cylindrical member and a second cylindrical member, the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member being rotatable relative to each other, the first cylindrical member having a sample chamber and a side port that opens to the sample chamber, and the second cylindrical member having a side opening;

generating a vacuum in the sample chamber during a first drive interval;

rotating at least one of the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member of the biopsy needle during a second drive interval until the side port of the first cylindrical member and the side opening of the second cylindrical member are in radial alignment;

rotating at least one of the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member of the biopsy needle during a third drive interval to sever tissue drawn by vacuum into the sample chamber to deposit a tissue sample in the sample chamber;

generating a positive pressure in the sample chamber during a fourth drive interval; and

rotating at least one of the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member of the biopsy needle during a fifth drive interval until the side port of the first cylindrical member and the side opening of the second cylindrical member again are in radial alignment to release the positive pressure in the sample chamber to expel the tissue sample from the sample chamber.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the first drive interval overlaps the second drive interval.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the first drive interval overlaps the third drive interval.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the fourth drive interval overlaps the fifth drive interval.

19. The method of claim 15 , comprising operating a pump during the first drive interval to generate the vacuum in the sample chamber.

20. The method of claim 19 , comprising operating the pump during the fourth drive interval to generate the positive pressure in the sample chamber.