PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a biopsy needle, a sample extracting unit, a biopsy apparatus, and a method of controlling a biopsy needle which are capable of extracting a semi-solid tissue sample from a biopsy region even in a case where the biopsy needle is inserted at a position spaced from the biopsy region, without the need for inserting the biopsy needle again, and of minimizing the amount of the extracted tissue sample.SOLUTION: The specimen collecting unit is constituted in the following. An inner tube 52 has a plurality of inner openings 72a-72c defined in a side wall 70 thereof, an outer tube 50 has at least one outer opening 64 defined in an side wall 62 thereof, and in response to movement of the inner tube 52, at least one outer opening selectively overlaps one of the inner openings 72a-72c thereby to define a communication port 74 which communicates with an interior of the inner tube 52.COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&INPIT【課題】生検部位と離れた位置に穿刺された場合であっても、再度の穿刺作業を行うことなく半固形状の検体を採取可能であり、且つ、その採取量を最小限に抑制可能な生検針、検体採取ユニット、バイオプシ装置及び生検針制御方法を提供する。【解決手段】内管52の側面70には、複数の内側開口部72a~72cが設けられている。内管52の移動に応じて、複数の内側開口部72a~72cのうちのいずれか1つと選択的に重なることで内管52の内部と連通する連通口74が1つ形成されるように、外管50の側面62には少なくとも1つの外側開口部64が設けられている。【選択図】図7
