72 a can be manually displaced within slot 84 to position the retractor element 50 in operation bolt 72 a is positioned in index 84 a until the retractor element 50 is fully inserted into the left ventricle and the expanding element 56 is at full expansion at that time bolt 72 a is manually released from index 84 a which allows compression spring 70 to retract retractor element 50 until expanding element 56 contacts the inside wall of the left ventricle a damping means not shown may be included to prevent sudden retraction of the retractor element upon release from index 84 a also not shown is a safety latch or other means to prevent manual release of the bolt 72 a until the expanding element 56 is fully expanded as the surgeon applies force and rotation using handle 90 compression spring 70 continues to displace retractor element 50 when retractor element 50 is fully retracted the surgeon can rotate bolt 72 a into index 84 b to lock the retractor element 50 in place moreover when retractor element 50 is fully retracted the expanding element 56 is also fully retracted into coring element 40 indicating that the tissue.