A catheter with a variable circular loop responsive to a contraction wire forcoiling issupported by a member having a tapered distal section that transitions from acircularcross-section to a generally rectangular cross-section while maintaining auniformcross-sectional area along the entire tapered length for improved coilingcharacteristics. Aradially constrictive sleeve prevents separation of the contraction wire fromthe supportmember to minimize misshaping of the loop during contraction.