Grin lens and methods of making the same

An imaging device, comprising:

• a grin lens having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein at least an interior region of the grin lens is made from a polymeric material;
• an optical fiber having a distal end coupled to the proximal end of the grin lens;
• a beam director coupled to the distal end of the grin lens, wherein the beam director is configured to direct light at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber;
• a housing surrounding the beam director and having an optical port, wherein the optical port has a geometry for allowing a first light ray from inside the housing to pass therethrough to exit the housing along a first direction, and a second light ray from inside the housing to pass therethrough to exit the housing along a second direction that is opposite the first direction;
• and
• a tube surrounding the optical fiber, wherein an interior surface of the tube is in contact with a segment of the optical fiber that is between ends of the optical fiber.