In-vivo introducible antenna for detection of RF tags

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 first dimension 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, wherein the in-vivo introducible antenna includes a semi-rigid elongated member having a proximal end connected to a remote signal generator, and a distal end, and a flexible loop supported at the distal end of the semi-rigid elongated member and being connected to the remote signal generator, wherein the flexible loop is configurable between an expanded state for receiving one or more return signals transmitted by one or more RFID tags, and a collapsed state, smaller than the expanded state, for insertion into the patient's body, wherein the flexible loop is distally oriented in relation to the semi-rigid elongated member;
• generating an energizing signal configured to stimulate 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 an 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.

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 having a proximal end connected to a remote signal generator, and a distal end;
• and
• a flexible loop supported at the distal end of the semi-rigid elongated member and connected to the remote signal generator, wherein the flexible loop is configurable between an expanded state for receiving one or more return signals transmitted by the one or more RFID tags, and a collapsed state, smaller than the expanded state, for insertion into the patient's body,
• wherein the flexible loop is distally oriented in relation to the semi-rigid elongated member.