The present disclosure relates to an endoscopic retractor apparatus for
retracting and/or positioning organs during minimally invasive surgery.
The apparatus includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends
and a lumen extending therebetween, and a retracting sleeve operatively
associated with the elongate shaft. The retracting sleeve includes a
first and a second spindle each disposable in the lumen of the elongated
shaft, each spindle being selectively translatable through the lumen of
the elongate shaft, and a sling portion extending between the distal ends
of the first and second spindles, the sling portion defining a cradle for
receiving organs therein, the sling portion being selectively movable
upon translation of at least one of the first and second spindles.