Gastric restriction device implants and their use in controlling body
weight are described. In some embodiments, activation of a shape memory
material drives an actuator coupled to an implant, resulting in a
conformational change in the implant. In some embodiments latch and
ratchet mechanisms operate incrementally to increase or decrease a size
of a stomal opening produced by the gastric restriction device. Methods
are described by which adjusting the size of the stomal opening is used
to restrict the rate at which food passes through the stomach.