A steerable guide catheter , comprising: a flexible guide tube having a deflectable distal end ; at least first and second tensioning lines coupled to the deflectable distal end of the flexible guide tube , the first tensioning line being configured to deflect the distal end of the flexible guide tube in a first direction and the second tensioning line being configured to deflect the distal end of the flexible guide tube in a second direction that is opposite the first direction; a handle having a distal end coupled to the flexible guide tube , said handle comprising: a medial portion having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with at least a portion of the flexible guide tube ; a first actuator disposed at a first end of the handle ; and a second actuator disposed at a second end of the handle opposite the first end; wherein the first actuator operates to generate a tensioning force acting on the first tensioning line and the second tensioning line and the second actuator operates to generate a tensioning force acting on the first tensioning line and the second tensioning line , and wherein the first and second actuators are each coupled to a rotatable gear , said rotatable gear being coupled to a linear drive shaft disposed within an interior cavity of the handle . a flexible guide tube having a deflectable distal end ; at least first and second tensioning lines coupled to the deflectable distal end of the flexible guide tube , the first tensioning line being configured to deflect the distal end of the flexible guide tube in a first direction and the second tensioning line being configured to deflect the distal end of the flexible guide tube in a second direction that is opposite the first direction; a handle having a distal end coupled to the flexible guide tube , said handle comprising: a medial portion having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with at least a portion of the flexible guide tube ; a first actuator disposed at a first end of the handle ; and a second actuator disposed at a second end of the handle opposite the first end; wherein the first actuator operates to generate a tensioning force acting on the first tensioning line and the second tensioning line and the second actuator operates to generate a tensioning force acting on the first tensioning line and the second tensioning line , and wherein the first and second actuators are each coupled to a rotatable gear , said rotatable gear being coupled to a linear drive shaft disposed within an interior cavity of the handle . a medial portion having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with at least a portion of the flexible guide tube ; a first actuator disposed at a first end of the handle ; and a second actuator disposed at a second end of the handle opposite the first end; wherein the first actuator operates to generate a tensioning force acting on the first tensioning line and the second tensioning line and the second actuator operates to generate a tensioning force acting on the first tensioning line and the second tensioning line , and wherein the first and second actuators are each coupled to a rotatable gear , said rotatable gear being coupled to a linear drive shaft disposed within an interior cavity of the handle . <EOS>