An embolic coil detachment system includes an elongated, flexible polymer tubehavinga tubular wall with an inner surface defining an interior lumen. A distalportion of the tubularwall has a score line, and a resistive heating element is located near thescore line and inimmediate contact with a surface of a distal portion of the tubular wall, toprovide direct heatingof the distal portion of the flexible polymer tube adjacent to the score line.A therapeuticembolic coil includes a headpiece that is releasably attached within thedistal portion of theflexible polymer tube, and that is releasable by heating of the distal portionof the tubular shaft tocause the distal portion of the tubular wall to split along the score line.
