Patent ID: 7651513

Claim:
A device for releasing an embolic assembly at a target site in a vessel of a patient, comprising: a core wire comprising a first electrically-conductive substance that is at least partially fixedly encased in a first non-conductive substance and has a proximal and a distal end, its proximal end being configured to be connected to an electrical signal generator; a flexible member configured for permanent attachment to the core wire, the flexible member having a proximal and a distal end, its proximal end being coupled to the distal end of the core wire, the flexible member comprising a second wire comprising a second electrically-conductive substance, which may be the same as, or different than, the first electrically-conductive substance, the second wire having a helical coil segment fixedly coupled to the distal end of the core wire and being fixedly encased in the first non-conductive substance, and a straight segment located distal to the helical coil segment, at least a portion of the straight segment comprises a bare comprising an electrolytic detachment site; an electrically conductive, helically-wound wire fixedly secured to the bare portion of the straight segment, wherein a distal portion of the electrically conductive, helically-wound wire is embedded in a polymeric mass; an embolic assembly having a proximal and a distal end, its proximal end being embedded in the polymeric mass, the polymeric mass coupling the electrically conductive, helically-wound wire to the proximal end of the embolic assembly; and wherein the helically wound segment of the second wire comprises a first and a second helically wound portion, the first portion being one of open-pitched or closed-pitched and the second portion being the other of open-pitched or closed-pitch, the first portion being at least partially fixedly encased in the first non-conductive substance and being coupled to the distal end of the core wire, the second portion optionally being partially encased in the first non-conductive substance and distal to the first portion and coupled to the straight segment.