Comparison of semi automatic skin biopsy device and regular skin biopsy instrument

Aim: Classical punch biopsy instrument can cut cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue in shape of a cylinder but cannot cut the base of it. Then the tissue needs to be pulled to cut the base and this pulling procedure can damage the specimen. To overcome these problems, a new device is designed and produced. Our purpose is to experimentally compare this new device with the regular punch biopsy instrument. Material and Method: The new device consists of two pieces. First piece has a blade to cut the tissue cylindrically and a body to vacuum it. The flat blade in the second piece cuts the base of the sample smoothly. Four biopsies on the dorsal area of 10 rats were performed. Two biopsies were done by regular punch biopsy instrument while the other two were done with new device, randomly. It was investigated if both instruments optimally removed the base of the tissue and how much  the tissue had damaged. Results: Classical punch biopsy instrument performed ideal excision in all 20 biopsies, while the new device performed ideal excision in 18 out of 20 biopsies. The difference was statistically insignificant (p=0,487). While evaluating the damages on biopsy sites, the difference was also statistically insignificant (p=0,432). Conclusions: This new semiautomatic skin biopsy device is produced both for damage free excision of the tissue and for optimal healing process of the biopsy site. Our first experiment results are comparable with the regular method and the device needs to be developed for better outcome.