In-vivo introducible antenna for detection of RF tags

1. An interrogation and detection system for detection of surgical implements within a patient's body, comprising:

one or more RFID tags configured to transmit one or more return signals when energized, each RFID tag affixed to a surgical implement within the patient's body;

a remote signal generator configured to generate an energizing signal for the one or more RFID tags; and

an in-vivo introducible antenna operably coupled to the signal generator, the in-vivo introducible antenna configured to receive the one or more return signals transmitted by the one or more RFID tags when in an expanded state,

wherein the in-vivo introducible antenna is configured to a collapsed state, smaller than the expanded state, for insertion into the patient's body,

wherein the in-vivo introducible antenna includes a semi-rigid elongated member supporting a flexible loop, wherein the flexible loop is configured to be folded proximally to rest alongside the semi-rigid elongated member.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a trocar-cannula assembly including a tubular channel configured to facilitate passage of the in-vivo introducible antenna therethrough,

wherein the in-vivo introducible antenna defines a shape having a dimension “D2”; and

wherein the tubular channel defines a shape having a dimension “D1”, such that the dimension “D1” of the tubular channel is less than the dimension “D2” of the in-vivo introducible antenna.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the flexible loop is configured to fold proximally when passing through the tubular channel of the trocar-cannula assembly, and to unfold upon exiting the tubular channel of the trocar-cannula assembly and entering a surgical site within the patient's body.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the flexible loop is composed of a shape memory alloy configured to automatically return to its initial shape in the absence of external forces.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the initial shape of the flexible loop portion of the in-vivo antenna is circular.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the flexible loop is configured to be folded inward to form an elongated oval shape while being translated distally through the tubular channel.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the flexible loop is configured to be folded along an axis of the semi-rigid elongated member to form a crescent-shaped profile while being translated proximally through the tubular channel.

8. The system of claim 5 , wherein the flexible loop is tear drop-shaped.

9. The system of claim 2 , wherein the flexible loop is larger in size than the tubular channel.

10. A method for detecting one or more surgical implements within a patient's body, comprising:

pushing an in-vivo introducible antenna distally through a channel having a dimension “D1” defined within a trocar-cannula assembly and into a surgical site within the patient's body, wherein the trocar-cannula assembly includes a tubular channel, and wherein a portion of the in-vivo introducible antenna is configured to fold proximally,

wherein the portion of the in-vivo introducible antenna will automatically return to an original shape having a dimension “D2”, such that the dimension “D1” of the tubular channel is less than the dimension “D2” of the in-vivo introducible antenna;

generating an energizing signal configured to stimulate the one or more RFID tags into transmitting a return signal;

transmitting the energizing signal directly into the surgical site within the patient's body through the expanded portion of the in-vivo introducible antenna;

scanning for any return signals from one or more RFID tags affixed to each surgical implement placed within the patient's body before a commencement of surgery; and

alerting a clinician to a presence of the one or more RFID tags affixed to each surgical implement upon detection of the one or more return signals.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the in-vivo introducible antenna includes of a semi-rigid elongated member supporting a flexible loop, where the flexible loop is the portion of the in-vivo introducible antenna configured to automatically unfold to occupy an expanded area.

12. The method of claim 11 , further including:

pulling the unfolded flexible loop portion of the in-vivo introducible antenna proximally through an aperture and channel of the trocar-cannula assembly such that the unfolded flexible loop is compressed by the channel and folds proximally.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the compression of the flexible loop portion facilitates complete withdrawal of the in-vivo introducible antenna from the trocar-cannula assembly.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the flexible loop portion is circular in shape and is further configured to fold along an axis of the semi-rigid elongated member to form a crescent-shaped profile while being pulled proximally through the channel of the trocar-cannula assembly.

15. A resizable in-vivo introducible antenna for insertion into a surgical site and detection of RFID tagged surgical implements within a patient's body, comprising:

a semi-rigid elongated member configured to be translated through a tubular channel,

wherein the tubular channel defines a shape having a dimension “D1”; and

a flexible loop operably coupled to the semi-rigid member,

wherein the flexible loop defines a shape with a dimension “D2”, such that the dimension “D1” of the tubular channel is less than the dimension “D2” of the in-vivo introducible antenna, and wherein the flexible loop is configured to deflect longitudinally relative to the semi-rigid elongated member.

16. The antenna of claim 15 , wherein the flexible loop is composed of a shape memory alloy configured to automatically return to an initial shape in the absence of external forces.

17. The antenna of claim 16 , wherein the flexible loop is sizably adjustable such that the flexible loop can be reshaped to conform to its surroundings.

18. The antenna of claim 17 , wherein the initial shape of the flexible loop is a circle.

19. The antenna of claim 17 , wherein the flexible loop is configured to be folded backwards to rest alongside the semi-rigid elongated member while being inserted into the surgical site within the patient's body.