Method of attaching a connector element to a tubular element

A method for attaching a connector to a tube of a urinary catheter, the method comprising:

• providing a catheter tube extending in an axial direction between a proximal portion and a distal portion and comprising a first polymeric material, the catheter tube comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, where the inner surface defines an interior lumen of the catheter tube that extends in the axial direction to an opening formed in the distal portion of the catheter tube;
• providing a drainage connector comprising a second polymeric material and forming a conduit between a connector opening and a receiving passage of the drainage connector, where the receiving passage forms an inner passage surface;
• providing a waveguide configured to guide optical radiation along a length of the waveguide between a first end to a second end of the waveguide and to emit the optical radiation from the second end of the waveguide;
• inserting the distal portion of the catheter tube into the receiving passage of the drainage connector and forming an interface between the outer surface of the catheter tube and the inner passage surface of the drainage connector;
• transmitting the optical radiation through the waveguide and out of the second end of the waveguide;
• delivering the optical radiation to the interface between the outer surface of the catheter tube and the inner passage surface of the drainage connector, melting the second polymeric material of the drainage connector at a location of the inner passage surface, and joining the drainage connector to the catheter tube.