An elongate access sheath, comprising: a distal portion, a proximal portion, and an elongate portion extending therebetween, the elongate portion defines a lumen therethrough, and the distal portion is bendable with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongate portion; the proximal portion supporting a control handle, and a tension gear (130, 1210); a deflector filament slidably extending through the lumen, and operatively coupled to said distal portion and said tension gear, wherein said at least one deflector filament is mounted such that rotation of said tension gear urges sliding movement within said lumen; wherein said tension gear comprises teeth, and the tension gear includes a hollow center that defines an inner engagement portion; said control handle comprising a lever portion and an engagement portion that comprises input teeth, wherein the input teeth of the engagement portion are meshed with said tension gear such that upward movement of the lever portion causes rotation of said tension gear in a first direction and sliding motion of the deflector filament within the lumen to urge the distal portion to bend with respect to the longitudinal axis; characterised in that: wherein said tension gear includes an outside engagement portion which comprises said teeth; wherein the input teeth of the engagement portion are meshed with the outside engagement portion of said tension gear; wherein said elongate access sheath further includes a brake pad (140, 1250) and a locking trigger: wherein said brake pad is disposed within said hollow center of said tension gear and comprises a slot and a ratchet portion disposed upon an outer surface of the brake pad, wherein said slot is disposed vertically on said brake pad and said ratchet portion is aligned to engage the inner engagement portion of said tension gear; wherein said locking trigger is attached to said tension gear and includes a body portion and a pin, wherein said pin is disposed within the slot of said brake pad; and wherein translation of the locking trigger causes the pin to slide within the slot and urge engagement between the brake pad and said tension gear thereby preventing rotation of said tension gear in an opposite second direction. a distal portion, a proximal portion, and an elongate portion extending therebetween, the elongate portion defines a lumen therethrough, and the distal portion is bendable with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongate portion; the proximal portion supporting a control handle, and a tension gear (130, 1210); a deflector filament slidably extending through the lumen, and operatively coupled to said distal portion and said tension gear, wherein said at least one deflector filament is mounted such that rotation of said tension gear urges sliding movement within said lumen; wherein said tension gear comprises teeth, and the tension gear includes a hollow center that defines an inner engagement portion; said control handle comprising a lever portion and an engagement portion that comprises input teeth, wherein the input teeth of the engagement portion are meshed with said tension gear such that upward movement of the lever portion causes rotation of said tension gear in a first direction and sliding motion of the deflector filament within the lumen to urge the distal portion to bend with respect to the longitudinal axis; wherein said tension gear includes an outside engagement portion which comprises said teeth; wherein the input teeth of the engagement portion are meshed with the outside engagement portion of said tension gear; wherein said elongate access sheath further includes a brake pad (140, 1250) and a locking trigger: wherein said brake pad is disposed within said hollow center of said tension gear and comprises a slot and a ratchet portion disposed upon an outer surface of the brake pad, wherein said slot is disposed vertically on said brake pad and said ratchet portion is aligned to engage the inner engagement portion of said tension gear; wherein said locking trigger is attached to said tension gear and includes a body portion and a pin, wherein said pin is disposed within the slot of said brake pad; and wherein translation of the locking trigger causes the pin to slide within the slot and urge engagement between the brake pad and said tension gear thereby preventing rotation of said tension gear in an opposite second direction. wherein said brake pad is disposed within said hollow center of said tension gear and comprises a slot and a ratchet portion disposed upon an outer surface of the brake pad, wherein said slot is disposed vertically on said brake pad and said ratchet portion is aligned to engage the inner engagement portion of said tension gear; wherein said locking trigger is attached to said tension gear and includes a body portion and a pin, wherein said pin is disposed within the slot of said brake pad; and wherein translation of the locking trigger causes the pin to slide within the slot and urge engagement between the brake pad and said tension gear thereby preventing rotation of said tension gear in an opposite second direction.