How much does it cost to acquire biopsy samples from rare or endangered species?

Do you require multiple attempts to harvest samples, needlessly injuring your test subjects?

Missed or failed sampling opportunities waste time and money!

Introducing the TissueGrab™ Biopsy Dart "Patent No. 10,376,248", is a  gamma-irradiated device designed to acquire ~1.5 cm^3 tissue samples while eliminating or significantly reducing repetitive sampling attempts.   Current biopsy devices are expensive and many researchers re-use them. Many devices are made of metal that rust in the marine environment. Metal devices are also ineffective because they become dull, often requiring multiple sampling attempts to harvest samples. This can needlessly injure or stress test subjects. Moreover, these factors can lead to sample or animal contamination and potentially cause routes for infection, illness, or even death of test subjects. 

Designed by fisheries biologists who were dissatisfied with current biopsy sampling systems, the TissueGrab™ Biopsy Dart is a gamma-irradiated, minimally invasive, single-use biopsy sampling device designed to overcome the numerous short comings of existing biopsy sampling devices. 

The TissueGrab™ Biopsy Dart is composed of medical grade nylon composite designed to “grab and hold” tissue samples during extraction. TissueGrab™ features include: a flared chamber that allows tissue to expand as it enters dart tip; barbs in the chamber section; rough interior of tunnel and chamber; and, recessed cutouts in chamber to prevent positive pressure buildup.  Biopsy samples are removed by unscrewing the base from the dart tip, preventing contamination. The back of the base is threaded to accept a standard M8 bolt; mounted on the striking device (e.g., harpoon, arrow, and spear).