An embolic coil deployment system for placing a coil at a preselected site within a vessel of the human body is provided. The deployment system includes a heating element at the distal end of a detachment member and a heat-responsive coupling attached to a delivery member for holding the coil during positioning of the coil. The heating element is heated to reduce the strength of and sever the heat-responsive coupling for releasing the coil at a desired position within the body vessel.