Signal tag detection components, devices, and systems

A system comprising:

• i) a remote activating device that generates a magnetic field, wherein said remote activating device comprises a pad configured to be positioned:
• i) on or under said patient, or ii) on or under a table or bed said patient is on, wherein said pad comprises multiple activating coils,
• ii) a tag that is insertable at a location in or on a tissue of a patient, wherein said tag is activated by said magnetic field,
• iii) a control unit comprising a processor and a control software, wherein said control unit is linked to said remote activating device, and
• iv) a display component configured to provide distance of said tag to a surgical instrument.

A method for localizing a tissue region of a patient, comprising:

• a) placing a remote activating device and a patient in proximity to each other, wherein said remote activating device comprises a pad with multiple activating coils that generate a magnetic field, and
• wherein said patient comprises a tag at a location in, on, or proximal to a tissue of said patient;
• b) positioning a surgical instrument in proximity to said tissue of said patient such that said patient is between said surgical instrument and said pad;
• c) localizing said tag in said patient by generating a magnetic field with said remote activating device and detecting a signal from said tag;
• and
• d) displaying, on a display component, the distance of said tag to said surgical instrument.