Importance

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Abstract

There is disclosed a bending device for use in an endoscope or the like. The bending device includes an articulation assembly constituted by a number of segments. In order to increase the rigidity of the articulation assembly in its radial direction, each segment has such a simple configuration that the segment can be formed by bending a hard metal plate such, for example, as a hard spring metal. More specifically, the segment has a semi-cylindrical portion and a pair of extension portions extending respectively from opposite circumferential ends of the semi-cylindrical portion in a direction of the circumference of the semi-cylindrical portion. A pair of notches are formed respectively in opposite axial ends of the segment at the boundary between each of the opposite circumferential ends of the semi-cylindrical portion and each of the extension portions. The notches of the adjacent segments are engaged with each other so that the adjacent segments can be angularly movable relative to each other about those portions of the adjacent segments engaged with each other. The extension portions of each of the segments are disposed inwardly of the semi-cylindrical portion of its adjacent segment.

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First Claim