Patent ID: 8724941

Claim:
A method, comprising: receiving an optical waveguide having a distal end surface non-normal to a longitudinal centerline of a distal end portion of the optical waveguide, wherein the distal end surface defines a portion of an interface configured to redirect electromagnetic radiation propagated from within the optical waveguide and incident on the portion of the interface to a direction offset from the longitudinal centerline; disposing a reinforcement component distal to and separate from the distal end surface of the optical waveguide; moving an inner surface of a capillary component over the distal end surface of the optical waveguide; and heating the capillary component and the optical waveguide such that a portion of the inner surface of the capillary component is fused to a portion of an outer surface of the optical waveguide and to a portion of the reinforcement component further including heating a distal end of the capillary component such that an enclosure is defined by the distal end of the reinforcement component and the capillary component.