Endoscopic system for winding and inserting a mesh

A method for inserting a mesh into an abdominal cavity of a patient, comprising:

• providing an endoscopic system for winding and inserting the mesh into the abdominal cavity of the patient, the endoscopic system including:
• an introducer having an elongated shaft extending distally therefrom, the shaft including a split portion defining an opening therealong;
• and
• a furler defining a lumen and being engageable with the split portion of the shaft and configured to exert a radial force onto the mesh that is supported by the split portion;
• positioning the mesh through the split portion of the shaft;
• positioning the furler over the split portion of the shaft to at least partially cover the mesh;
• rotating one of the furler and the shaft with respect to the other to wind the mesh inside the furler;
• and
• applying a radial force to the mesh, by reducing a diameter of the furler, as the mesh is being wound in the furler.