Device and method for covering an endoscope with a sleeve and/or for coupling an endoscope with one or more add-on tubes

A method of covering an endoscope with a protective thin sleeve, comprising:

• providing a loading handle containing an axially-collected protective thin sleeve therein;
• inserting a distal end portion of an endoscope into a lumen of said loading handle such that said distal end portion of said endoscope is received within said sleeve;
• detaching a proximal portion of said handle which is coupled to a proximal end of said sleeve;
• and
• pulling said proximal portion of said handle along a length of said endoscope to cover said endoscope with said sleeve.

A handle for spirally mounting an add-on tube on an endoscope, the handle comprising:

• a frame comprising:
• a recess in which at least a portion of an endoscope is received;
• a cylindrical portion on which an add-on tube is axially rolled;
• at least a portion of the frame configured to slide along a length of the endoscope and release the rolled add-on tube such that the add-on tube is spirally disposed about the endoscope.