A spiral biopsy needle includes an elongated outer sleeve. A sampling tool having a penetrating tip, a grasping region and a helical thread collection region adjacent the tip is inserted into the outer sleeve. A spacer element is received on the tool between the grasping portion and the penetrating tip. When the sampling tool is inserted into the sleeve with the spacer element in place the penetrating tip extends beyond the outer sleeve end, but the collection region does not extend beyond the end. When the spacer element is removed and the sampling tool is further inserted into the sleeve, the sampling tool collection region extends beyond the outer sleeve free end for collection of a tissue sample. A method for obtaining a tissue sample is also disclosed.
