A system 10 for endoluminal ablation and embolization of a blood vessel 18 by resistive heating includes an electrically conductive element 12 of elongate form with a resistive heating element 22. A control unit 40 includes a processing unit 42, a power unit 44 and, optionally, a temperature sensor unit 46 coupled to a temperature probe 24 to determine when blood flow obstruction is formed. In one embodiment the control unit is coupled to a position sensor that detects the position of the resistive heating element and applies power to the resistive heating element when it is deemed to have been moved by a first predetermined distance, effecting ablation during and/or after the retraction process in order to create a more effective occlusion barrier. In another embodiment, ablation is in at least two phases, the first phase at a higher energy level to cause a blood clot and contraction of the blood vessel 18 and a second phase after at least partial retraction of the resistive part 22 and at a second lower level in order to cause blood clots to close any remaining lumen formed within the vessel 18 during the first phase.
