Implantation catheter and implantation catheter arrangement for handling an implant

An implantation catheter, comprising:

• an inner catheter shaft;
• a holding element being arranged at a distal end of the inner catheter shaft and being configured for holding and releasing an implant;
• an outer catheter shaft comprising a distal end with an enlarged lumen to form a protective sleeve which is configured for receiving the implant, wherein the holding element comprises a shape memory element,
• wherein the holding element is configured for assuming each of a holding state for holding the implant and a release state for releasing the implant, wherein a transition from the holding state to the release state and/or a transition from the release state to the holding state is supported by means of a shape memory of the shape memory element, wherein when the distal end of the inner catheter shaft points in a first direction, an overall extension of the holding element perpendicular to the first direction is larger in the holding state than in the release state, wherein in the holding state the overall extension of the holding element perpendicular to the first direction is larger than a corresponding extension of the implant, and wherein in the holding state, the holding element is configured for interlocking with one or more fixation elements.