A catheter, comprising: an elongated catheter body comprising a first tubular structure having first central lumen, a distal end and a proximal end; a deflectable section having a second tubular structure having a second central lumen, and a proximal end that is distal of the proximal end of the catheter body; a flat beam having first and second opposing surfaces, the flat beam extending through at least the second central lumen of the deflectable section, the flat beam defining a first sub-lumen and a second sub-lumen, wherein the beam has a tapered configuration; a puller wire configured with first and second segments and a U-bend segment therebetween, the U-bend segment anchored to the distal end of the flat beam, the first segment extending through the first sub-lumen and through the first central lumen of the catheter body, the second segment extending through the second sub-lumen and through the first central lumen of the catheter body; a first compression coil surrounding a portion of the first segment extending through the catheter body, a second compression coil surrounding a portion of the second segment extending through the catheter body; a pair of first and second half-cylindrical brackets (66A, 66B), the first bracket being mounted on the first surface of the beam, the second bracket mounted on the second surface of the beam, the first and second brackets forming a cylindrical hollow body generally surrounding the beam at or near a junction between the catheter body and the deflectable section, wherein a distal end of the first tubular body covers a proximal portion of the cylindrical body and a proximal end of the second tubular body covers a distal portion of the cylindrical body. an elongated catheter body comprising a first tubular structure having first central lumen, a distal end and a proximal end; a deflectable section having a second tubular structure having a second central lumen, and a proximal end that is distal of the proximal end of the catheter body; a flat beam having first and second opposing surfaces, the flat beam extending through at least the second central lumen of the deflectable section, the flat beam defining a first sub-lumen and a second sub-lumen, wherein the beam has a tapered configuration; a puller wire configured with first and second segments and a U-bend segment therebetween, the U-bend segment anchored to the distal end of the flat beam, the first segment extending through the first sub-lumen and through the first central lumen of the catheter body, the second segment extending through the second sub-lumen and through the first central lumen of the catheter body; a first compression coil surrounding a portion of the first segment extending through the catheter body, a second compression coil surrounding a portion of the second segment extending through the catheter body; a pair of first and second half-cylindrical brackets (66A, 66B), the first bracket being mounted on the first surface of the beam, the second bracket mounted on the second surface of the beam, the first and second brackets forming a cylindrical hollow body generally surrounding the beam at or near a junction between the catheter body and the deflectable section, wherein a distal end of the first tubular body covers a proximal portion of the cylindrical body and a proximal end of the second tubular body covers a distal portion of the cylindrical body.