Intravascular delivery system for deployment of a therapeutic device, such as a stent, in a controlled and robust manner is supported by a lockable balloon catheter equipped with a locking mechanism configured to lock in vivo to a delivery component, such as a guidewire. The lockable balloon catheter can be controllably transitioned between a locked and an unlocked modes of operation by inflation/deflation of the balloon of the lockable balloon catheter. Being in the locked mode of operation, the lockable balloon catheter facilitates delivery of the therapeutic element along the delivery component to a target site while enhancing the stability of the delivery component, especially near the target site.
