Various devices for reducing the size of a passageway, such as, in an
exemplary embodiment, a gastrointestinal passageway are provided. The
device generally includes a cylindrical member, serving as a restriction
element, having proximal and distal ends, at least one of which can be
adapted to couple to a wall of the gastrointestinal passageway such that
the size of the passageway decreases. In use, the restriction element is
selectively configurable in a first, inactivated position and a second,
activated position, such that a diameter of the restriction element is
larger in the activated position than in the inactivated position, and
the size of the passageway can be controlled. A method of suppressing
appetite using such a device is also provided.