Balloon with reinforcement and/or expansion control fibers

The present invention relates to a catheter systems for introducing and implanting an expandable stent member in a body. The catheter includes a catheter member having first and second ends, the first end having an inflatable portion, a lumen in fluid communication with the inflatable portion and the second end for inflating the inflatable portion. The expandable stent member is capable of permanent deformation when expanded. At least a portion of the stent member is attached to the inflatable portion by a bond and whereby upon inflation of the inflatable portion the bond is released from the stent member to permit deployment of the stent member and removal of the catheter member. The bond may be formed by the same or different material than the balloon surface. For example, an adhesive may be used. Additionally, the surface of the balloon may be softened and the stent member may be embedded into the softened portion and allowed to return to its original unsoftened state, thereby adhesively connecting the stent to the inflatable balloon.