Pursestring suture retractor and method of use

An endoscopic tissue retraction device, comprising:

• a first shaft;
• a second shaft slidably coupled to the first shaft and longitudinally movable relative thereto;
• an internal member coupled to the first shaft so as to extend therefrom in a transverse direction, the internal member being configured for advancement through a penetration in a target tissue of a patient and having a proximally-facing surface configured to atraumatically engage a distal surface of the target tissue after being advanced therethrough;
• and
• a pair of external members each coupled to the second shaft so as to extend therefrom generally parallel to the transverse direction, the external members being spaced apart and each having a distally-facing surface configured to atraumatically engage a proximal surface of the target tissue,
• wherein the internal member is movable longitudinally relative to the external members between a distal position and a proximal position along a plane extending between the external members, the internal member being configured to apply traction to the target tissue when retracted from the distal position towards and past the pair of external members to the proximal position, and
• wherein the pair of external members are configured to apply counter-traction to the target tissue on opposing lateral sides of the internal member, whereby the target tissue is re-shaped so as to have a pair of laterally facing surfaces each extending between the internal member and one of the external members.