an implant delivery catheter enables permanent modification of the implant length in the vicinity of the treatment site prior to radial expansion thereof . the implant is releasable carried between inner and outer tubular members of the delivery catheter which , upon repositioning relative to one another using an actuator mechanism , impart any of tensile , compressile or torquing forces to the implant causing permanent modification of the implant length . in one embodiment , the circumference of the implant is substantially similar both before and after modification of the implant length . in another embodiment , the implant includes a plurality of strut sections interconnected by bridges which are capable of the deformation along the longitudinal axis of the implant .