Method and apparatus for relocating and supporting an object

In an apparatus for moving an object from a first location to a second location remote from the first location and for supporting the object at the second location, the apparatus comprising:

• an elongate tubular constraint having a hollow interior;
• and
• a flexible elongate member having a proximal part, a distal part to which, in use, the object is secured, and an intermediate length portion that is intermediate the proximal and distal parts and is located and constrained within the hollow interior of the tubular constraint;
• the improvement comprising the hollow interior of the constraint opening at an elongate slot which extends longitudinally along the constraint;
• and
• the distal part of the elongate member being movable longitudinally by application of an external force applied to the proximal part of the elongate member and directed longitudinally along the elongate member toward the distal part, by transfer of the applied force as a compressive internal force along the intermediate length portion of the elongate member.

In a method for moving an object from a first location to a second location remote from the first location and for supporting the object at the second location, the method comprising:

• securing the object to a distal part of a flexible elongate member;
• and
• inserting the elongate member into a hollow interior of an elongate tubular constraint so that an intermediate length portion of the elongate member, that is intermediate the distal part and a proximal part of the elongate member, is constrained within the hollow interior of the constraint;
• the improvement comprising applying an external force to the proximal part of the elongate member, the force being directed longitudinally along the elongate member toward the distal part, to thereby move the intermediate length portion of the elongate member longitudinally within the hollow interior of the tubular constraint and move the distal part of the elongate member so that the object moves from the first location to the second location;
• and
• supporting the object at the second location;
• wherein the hollow interior of the constraint opens at an elongate slot extending longitudinally along the constraint;
• the object, when at the first location, is substantially outside the hollow interior of the constraint;
• and
• the elongate member transfers the applied force as a compressive internal force along the intermediate length portion of the elongate member to move the distal part of the elongate member.