The long nose manipulatable catheter includes a main lumen (55), a wire lumen (60) with a push-pull wire (62) therethrough, and a flexible joint region. (58) The catheter section includes a control (240) including a handle (238) and a wire control (240) member engaging the push-pull wire for manipulating the flexible joint region. The push-pull wire (62) may be tapered, having a proximal portion of a first diameter and a smaller diameter distal portion. A coil may be placed around the smaller diameter to prevent buckling of the smaller diameter portion. A strapping coil may also disposed around the outside of the catheter,' and an outer covering may be disposed around the strapping. coil. An outer covering of a mesh may also be disposed around the distal tip of the catheter.