Embodiments of the invention include devices for obtaining tissue including a proximal actuator and a distal assembly having first and second end effectors. The first and second end effectors include the features of at least one element within the inner surface either of the first and second end effectors for aiding in the capture and retention of a targeted tissue sample. The first and second end effectors are pivoting jaws (12, 16), whose edges may have teeth (47), and the features comprise a spike (62), which may be pyramidal, on one of the jaws, and a hole (58) aligned opposite the spike, on the other jaw.
