An embolic coil detachment system (10) includes an elongated, flexible polymer tube(16) having a tubular wall (22) with an inner surface (24) defining an interior lumen. A distal portion of the tubular wall has a score line (28), and a resistive heating element (48) is located near the score line and in immediate contact with a surface of a distal portion of the tubular wall, to provide direct heating of the distal portion of the flexible polymer tube adjacent to the score line. A therapeutic embolic coil (32) includes a headpiece (42) that is releasably attached within the distal portion of the flexible polymer tube, and that is releasable by heating of the distal portion of the flexible polymer tube to cause the distal portion of the tubular wall to split along the score line.
