US Patent 12102289 Methods of attaching a rigidizing sheath to an endoscope

Methods for preventing contamination of an endoscope may include coupling a sheath device to cover both the inside and outside of the endoscope. The sheath device may include a rigidizing flexible tubular external sheath that extends over the endoscope to form an external protective barrier, a tubular internal sheath that extends within a lumen of the endoscope that forms an internal protective barrier, and a cap sealed to both the external sheath and the internal sheath. The sheath may be rigidized to enhance insertion.