A reinforced medical catheter (10) includes an elongated tubular outer wal!reinforced by an internal helical coil spring (36). Successive loops of the coilspring adjoining the distal end are longitudinally separated, and a workinglumen extends longitudinally through the catheter. A longitudinally extendingreinforcing cable is captured in the tubular outer wall against the exteriorof the coil spring. A steering cable operably interconnected with the distalend of the coil spring extends proximally from the distal end of the coil springfreely through the working lumen to the proximal end of the catheter. The reinforcingcable and the steering cable may constitute a continuous elongated filament.Withdrawing the steering cable proximally through the working lumen causesthe distal tip of the catheter to be deflected laterally.
