Methods and devices are provided for remotely adjusting a size of a
gastric band disposed around a patient's stomach. In one exemplary
embodiment, a gastric band is provided having a first end and a second
end that mate to one another to encircle a stomach. A latch mechanism can
be formed on the band, and at least one actuator can be coupled to the
latch mechanism and it can be adapted to expand and contract the latch
mechanism when energy is applied thereto to adjust a diameter of the
band. In one exemplary embodiment, the actuator(s) is an electroactive
polymer actuator.