An improved flexible endoscopic instrument (4000) to precisely and efficiently obtains samples of flat polyps and multiple polyps from a patient by debriding one or more polyps and retrieving the debrided polyps without having to alternate between using a separate cutting tool and a separate sample retrieving tool and may be used with an endoscope. In one aspect, the cutting tool (4010) is coupled to a flexible torque coil (4080) or torque rope that is configured to transfer rotational energy from a powered actuator (4050) through the length of the endoscope onto the cutting tool.
