Patent ID: 8142453

Claim:
A method of marking the location of an area of surgical interest of a patient and/or joining two portions of a patient's body together, comprising the steps of: a. providing an elongate member; b. providing a ring made of a shape memory alloy having a relax temperature of about 98 degrees Fahrenheit; c. wrapping the ring about the elongate member, the ring being wrapped sufficiently tightly to remain on the elongate member while at room temperature; d. providing a trochar or cannula; e. inserting the trochar or cannula into the patient's body; f. inserting the elongate member and the ring into the patient's body through the trocar or cannula; g. permitting the ring to warm up to body temperature and resume its pre-wrapped configuration; h. providing a needle with a suture attached thereto; i. placing the ring in the area of surgical interest; and j. suturing the ring in place within the patient's body.