Patent ID: 8732914

Claim:
A fastener for securing an object, the fastener comprising: a flexible elongated member including a first end and a second end spaced opposite the first end; wherein the first end and the second end are configured for twisting together so that the first end overlaps and contacts the second end to thereby fasten the first end to the second end and form a continuous band configured for contracting around the object; wherein the flexible elongated member includes a shape-memory alloy transitionable between a martensite phase and an austenite phase in response to a thermal activation source; wherein the shape-memory alloy has an austenite start temperature at which the shape-memory alloy transitions from the martensite phase to the austenite phase; wherein the shape-memory alloy has a memorized shape when the shape-memory alloy has the austenite phase, and has a temporary shape when the shape-memory alloy has the martensite phase; wherein the memorized shape includes the first end disposed in overlapping contact with the second end so that the flexible elongated member has a twisted arrangement; wherein the flexible elongated member is pseudoplastically deformable to the temporary shape such that the first end is spaced apart from the second end so that the flexible elongated member has a substantially straight configuration.