A system (470) for detecting tissue in a patient comprises a surgical instrument configured for selective insertion into a patient. The surgical instrument further comprises a handpiece (482) to which an outer cannula (460) and an inner cannula (350) are mounted. The surgical instrument further includes a sampling aperture (410), a collector filter (480) and a real-time pathology module (490) disposed between the handpiece and the collector filter. The real-time pathology module further includes at least one sensor (110) configured to detect at least one property of the tissue of said patient. The sensor is positioned within the real-time pathology module so as to contact tissue when the surgical instrument is inserted within a patient and tissue is resected.
