Methods and apparatus described herein may utilize activation of an SMP material to install medical devices with respect to a surgical site. Activation of the SMP material may be performed with the use of a triggering force and/or a constraint applied to the SMP material. Activation using a triggering force and/or a constraint may be used to create varied activation rates in an SMP material and varying speeds and times of activation to occur in shape memory polymers in devices. The disclosure also describes devices using wedge elements for activation of shape memory response in the SMP material.