US Patent 9421001 Biopsy device tissue sample holder with flow restriction device

A tissue sample holder for a biopsy device comprises an outer cup, a collection tray, and a flow restriction device. The outer cup defines a hollow interior. The collection tray separates the hollow interior into an upper chamber and a lower chamber while allowing fluid to pass between the two chambers through an opening in the collection tray. The flow restriction device selectively seals the opening thereby preventing fluid from passing from the lower chamber into the upper chamber. The flow restriction device may be operable to selectively seal the opening in response to a vacuum being induced within the upper chamber. The collection tray may have a shape (e.g., tapered, funnel-shaped, convex, etc.) selected to facilitate the flow of fluid toward the opening. The lower chamber may be coupled with an external fluid collection device. The lower chamber may define a larger volume than the upper chamber.