A biopsy device includes a device housing, a linear motor, and a controller circuit. The controller circuit has a processor circuit, a first feedback circuit, and a second feedback circuit. The first feedback circuit and the second feedback circuit operate simultaneously. The processor circuit executes program instructions to control an axial advancement of the distal end of the linear motor shaft in accordance with a linear motor shaft advancement profile based on first control signals received from at least one drive characteristic sensor of the first feedback circuit, and executes program instructions to keep the distal end of the linear motor shaft at a constant axial position, as offset by the position indicated by the linear motor shaft advancement profile, based on second control signals received from the housing position detector of the second feedback circuit so as to compensate for user movement of the device housing.