Surgical vacuum instrument for retracting, extracting, and manipulating tissue

A medical retraction device for applying a vacuum from a vacuum source to a target tissue of a patient to facilitate manipulation of the tissue during laparoscopic surgery, said device is capable of extending through an incision in the patient's skin, said device comprising:

• a sheath adapted to be disposed through said incision,
• a substantially flexible vacuum hose for attachment to said vacuum source,
• a cup having walls defining an internal cavity, said walls including a side wall with a side wall edge forming a cup opening for placement against said target tissue, a vacuum opening extending through one of said walls, said cup being formed of a substantially flexible and resilient material such that it is compressed and disposed entirely within the sheath, said vacuum hose being in communication with said vacuum opening whereby a vacuum is created within said internal cavity to secure the cup to the target tissue, and
• a substantially rigid rod sized to be attached to the vacuum hose, said rod is also slidable through the sheath and is capable of advancing the compressed cup through said sheath.