Bending device having a bellows

Claim 1

A bending device comprising: (a) a bellows having an internal space therein, and having a corrugated peripheral wall defined by first and second portions arranged alternately in a direction of an axis of said bellows, said first portions being bulged radially outwardly whereas said second portions are bulged radially inwardly; (b) means for bending said bellows comprising a wire, said means for bending having a proximal end portion adapted to receive a force, said means for bending having a distal end portion substantially fixed to a distal end portion of said bellows; and (c) at least one pair of independent limitation means for limiting an axial compression of said bellows, said pair of limitation means being arranged in an axial direction of said bellows and mounted respectively on diametrically-opposite portions of said peripheral wall of said bellows, each of said pair of limitation means including insertion portions fitted respectively in at least one of said first portions and second portions of said bellows, and said bellows being bendable in a direction perpendicular to a plane in which said pair of limitation means are disposed.