Ultraviolet disinfection probe for indwelling catheters

A catheter system, comprising:

• an intravenous catheter assembly comprising:
• a catheter comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the catheter defining a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end;
• and
• an access connector configured to provide access to the lumen of the catheter;
• and
• a disinfecting probe coupleable to the access connector, the disinfecting probe comprising:
• a housing having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a lighting system disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to emit a disinfecting ultraviolet light, the lighting system comprising:
• an optical fiber extending distally through at least a portion of the housing and configured to transmit the disinfecting ultraviolet light along a length of the optical fiber;
• and
• an advancement member configured to selectively move the optical fiber from a first position to a second position, wherein:
• a distal end of the optical fiber is disposed within the housing when the optical fiber is in the first position,
• the distal end of the optical fiber extends beyond the distal end of the housing and into the catheter when the optical fiber is in the second position, responsive to movement of the advancement member with respect to the housing, and
• the disinfecting ultraviolet light disinfects the lumen of the catheter upon being advanced therein by the advancement member.