An embolic coil detachment system (10) includes an elongated, flexible shape memory polymer tube (16) having an inner wall surface (40) defining an interior lumen (42). A distal portion (18) of the shape memory polymer tube has an enlarged and reduced diameter configurations. An embolic coil (22) is releasably mounted to the shape memory polymer tube by a headpiece (30) releasably attached within a distal portion of the shape memory polymer tube. A resistive heating element (44) disposed longitudinally along and in immediate contact with the inner wall surface of the distal tubular wall of the shape memory polymer tube provides direct, even heating to release the headpiece and embolic coil attached thereto when the resistive heating element is energized.
