Embolic device delivery system

1. An embolic device delivery system, comprising:

a pusher having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and a lumen;

a constriction component disposed at or near the distal end portion of the pusher within the lumen of the pusher, said constriction component defining an inner channel having a first cross-sectional extent that is sized to allow at least a portion of an embolic device to be received within the channel;

said constriction component having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion with said inner channel therebetween, said proximal end portion of the constriction component being movable relative to its said distal end portion;

said distal end portion of the constriction component is held stationary relative to the pusher, the proximal end portion of the constriction component is movable relative to the distal end portion and to the pusher, and the distal end portion of the constriction component is connected to the distal end portion of the pusher; and

whereby upon movement of the proximal end portion of the constriction component relative to its said distal end portion, the inner channel defined by the constriction component changes from the first cross-sectional extent to a second smaller cross-sectional extent wherein the constriction component secures the at least a portion of the embolic device within the inner channel.

2. The delivery system of claim 1 wherein the constriction component includes a coil, and the channel defined by the coil has a circular configuration.

3. The delivery system of claim 1 wherein the constriction component comprises a braided tubular shaped element.

4. The delivery system of claim 1 wherein the proximal end portion of the constriction component is rotatable relative its distal end portion.

5. The delivery system of claim 1 wherein the proximal end portion of the constriction component is movable longitudinally relative to its distal end portion.

6. The delivery system of claim 1 further including an elongated member connected to the proximal end portion of the constriction component for manipulation of the proximal end portion of the constriction component.

7. The delivery system of claim 6 wherein the elongated member comprises a wire.

8. The delivery system of claim 1 wherein the first cross-sectional extent of the channel defined by the constriction component is larger than the at least a portion of the embolic device.

9. An embolic device delivery system, comprising:

a pusher having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and a lumen extending along the pusher;

a tubular coupling located within the lumen at or near the distal end portion of the pusher, said tubular coupling defining a channel which is sized to receive at least a portion of an enibolic device, said tubular coupling having a proximal end section, a middle section, and a distal end section, and the distal end section of the coupling is connected to the pusher and held stationary relative to the pusher, the proximal end section of the coupling being movable relative to the distal end section of the coupling; and

the middle section of the tubular coupling having an inner cross-sectional extent which changes from a first dimension to a second dimension upon movement of the proximal end section of the coupling relative to the distal end section of the coupling.

10. The delivery system of claim 9 wherein the middle section comprises a coiled configuration.

11. The delivery system of claim 9 wherein the middle section comprises a braided element.

12. The delivery system of claim 1 wherein the proximal end portion of the constriction component is rotatable relative its distal end portion.

13. The delivery system of claim 1 wherein the proximal end portion of the constriction component is movable longitudinally relative to its distal end portion.

14. The delivery system of claim 9 further including a narrow elongated member connected to the proximal end section of the coupling.

15. A combination embolic device and an embolic device delivery system, comprising:

an embolic device having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;

an embolic device headpiece located at the proximal end portion of the embolic device;

a pusher having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and a lumen extending along the pusher;

a constrictor located in the lumen at or near the distal end portion of the pusher, said constrictor defining an inner channel having a first cross-sectional extent, said embolic device headpiece located within the channel;

said constrictor having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion with said inner channel therebetween, said proximal end portion of the constrictor being movable relative to its said distal end portion;

said distal end portion of the constrictor component is held stationary relative to the pusher, and the proximal end portion of the constriction component is movable relative to the pusher; and

whereby upon movement of the proximal end portion of the constrictor relative to its said distal end portion, the inner channel defined by the constrictor changes from the first cross-sectional extent to a second smaller cross-sectional extent wherein the constrictor grasps the embolic device headpiece.

16. The combination of claim 15 wherein the constrictor comprises a coil, and the channel defined by the coil has a circular configuration.

17. The combination of claim 15 wherein the constrictor comprises a braided element.

18. The combination of claim 15 further including an elongated member connected to the proximal end portion of the constrictor to manipulate the proximal end portion of the constrictor.

19. A method of employing a pusher to deliver an embolic device to a location within the vasculature of a patient, the pusher including a constrictor located at a distal end portion of the pusher, said constrictor defining a channel having a cross-sectional extent, said constrictor having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a constriction portion between the proximal and distal end portions, said distal end portion of the constrictor being connected to the distal end portion of the pusher, and said proximal end portion of the constrictor movable relative to the distal end portion of the constrictor, comprising:

inserting a portion of an embolic device into the channel defined by the constrictor;

moving the proximal end portion of the constrictor to decease the cross-sectional extent of the channel so that the constrictor grasps the portion of the embolic device located in the channel;

fixing the proximal end portion of constrictor relative to the distal end portion of the constrictor;

manipulating the pusher to guide the embolic device to a preselected location within the vasculature of a patient;

increasing the cross-sectional extent of the constriction portion of the channel by releasing the proximal end portion of the constrictor relative to its distal end portion which remains connected to the distal end portion of the pusher, thereby releasing the portion of the embolic device from the constrictor and thus from the pusher.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein moving the proximal end portion of the constrictor comprises rotational movement.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein moving the proximal end portion of the constrictor comprises longitudinal movement.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein moving the proximal end portion of the constrictor comprises a combination of rotational movement and longitudinal movement.