Importance

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Abstract

A bending device for use in an endoscope, a catheter or the like is of a simple construction having a frame, a resilient thin plate, and operating wires. The frame has a generally cylindrical shape as a whole, and has annular portions disposed respectively in planes substantially perpendicular to the axis of the frame, the annular portions being juxtaposed in an axial direction of the frame. The resilient thin plate is received in an internal space of the frame. Recesses are formed in each of opposite lateral edges of the resilient thin plate, and are juxtaposed in a longitudinal direction of the resilient thin plate. The annular portions of the frame are engaged respectively in the recesses in each of the opposite lateral edges of the resilient thin plate, so that any adjacent ones of the annular portions are spaced a predetermined distance from each other. The resilient thin plate has slits extending in a direction of the width of the resilient thin plate and spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction of the resilient thin plate, so that the resilient thin plate has a reduced bending resistance.

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First Claim