#$%^&*AU2013201066B220140220.pdf#####SAPPHIRE-BASED DELIVERY TIP FOR OPTIC FIBER ABSTRACT An article of manufacture is provided that includes an optic fiber (502, 702,902,1102,1302,1502, 1702, 1902, 2106) comprising a core (504, 704, 904, 1104, 1304, 1504, 1704, 1904, 2108) and a cladding (506, 706, 906, 1106, 1306, 1506, 1706, 1906, 2110) surrounding the core and a sapphire lube (514, 718, 912, 1114, 1308, 1508, 1712, 1912, 2101) bonded to the optic fiber. A total internal reflection surface (508, 712,908, 1112, 1310, 1512, 1714, 1916, 2114) is positioned such that light guided within the core of the optic fiber reflects off the total internal reflection surface and through the sapphire tube. In other embodiments, a sapphire rod (208, 308) having a total internal reflection surface (214, 314) is fused to an optic fiber (202, 302) comprising a core (204, 304) and a cladding (206, 306) surrounding the core. A glass coating (210, 310) is present on the exterior surface of portions of the sapphire rod such that the glass coating defines an opening (220, 319) that exposes portions of the sapphire rod where light exits the sapphire rod after reflecting off the total internal reflection surface.
