Expandable element delivery system

A method of controlling the deformation of an implant, comprising:

• providing a medical implant;
• positioning a restraining element relative to said implant, which restraining element prevents deformation of at least some of said implant;
• applying a deformation force to said implant using at least one tube;
• controlling the deformation of the implant using the restraining element;
• moving said restraining element to a new position;
• and
• repeating said applying, said controlling and said moving, a plurality of times, such that in each repetition a different portion of the implant is prevented from deforming by the restraining element.

A method of controlling the deformation of an implant, composing:

• providing an axial implant having a plurality of spikes extending radially thereto, arranged along the implant's axis, which implant is in a collapsed state where said spikes do not extend;
• enclosing said implant with a collar that restrains the extension of said spikes;
• inserting said implant into a desired location;
• retracting said collar to allow at least one spike to extend;
• and
• repeating said retracting until substantially all of said spikes are extended.

Apparatus for controlling the deformation of a tube having a slotted section, comprising:

• a force application mechanism for applying deforming force to the slotted section, by axial motion of a force applicator against the slotted section;
• a restraint element positioning mechanism that positions a restraining element such that the deformation of the slotted section is controlled by restraint of the restraining element on allowable deformation;
• and
• a synchronizer that synchronizers the motion of the restraining element and the force applicator, to achieve a desired deformation of the slotted section.

A method of controlling the deformation of a slotted tube, comprising:

• providing an axial tube having at least a slotted end such that said slots are configured to expand as a plurality of spikes extending radially thereto, said spikes arranged along the tube axis, which slotted end is in a collapsed state where said spikes do not extend;
• enclosing said slotted end with a collar that restrains the extension of said spikes;
• inserting said tube into solid tissue;
• retracting said collar relative to said slotted end to allow at least one spike to extend in said solid tissue;
• and
• repeating said retracting until substantially all of said spikes are extended.