The present invention relates to an in-vivo introducible antenna for detecting RF tags and provides an interrogation and detection
system for detecting surgical instruments within a patient's body, the
system comprising: one or more RFID tags attached to surgical instruments within the patient's body. Each RFID tag is configured to emit a return
signal upon energization, and a remote
signal generator is configured to generate an energization
signal for the one or more RFID tags. The
signal generator is operably coupled to an in-vivo introducible antenna via a communication cable. The
system further comprises an in-vivo introducible antenna configured to be inserted into a
surgical site within the patient's body through a trocar-cannula
assembly. Wherein the tubular channel defines a shape having a dimension "D1" such that the dimension "D1" of the tubular channel is less than a dimension "D2" of the in-vivo introducible antenna.