An excision and aspiration apparatus adapted to sample a tissue mass includes
a receptacle, such as a suction cup, which is adapted to receive a superficial
portion only of the total tissue mass. An excision mechanism, such as a cutting
wire, excises the superficial portion from the rest of the tissue mass. The excision
and aspiration apparatus further includes a suction tube having a receiving channel
for collecting the excised superficial portion of the tissue mass, as well as a
vacuum source for creating suction within the suction tube that is sufficient to
draw the excised superficial portion of the tissue mass into the receiving channel
of the suction tube.
