Systems and methods comprising localization agents

Abstract

Provided herein are systems and methods comprising localization agents. For example, provided herein are systems and methods for the placement of localization devices within biological systems and the detection of such localization devices for targeted surgeries or other medical procedures. For example, provided herein are systems comprising one or more miniature detectable devices that are placed into a target location and activated by remote introduction of a magnetic field.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a localization tag comprising a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip;   a pad including an excitation coil that generates an alternating magnetic field at an excitation frequency;   wherein the localization tag generates a signal at a tag frequency different from the excitation frequency in response to the alternating magnetic field; and   a lock-in amplifier to detect the signal from the localization tag.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tag frequency is a harmonic of the excitation frequency. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal at the tag frequency is a first signal at a first tag frequency and the localization tag further generates a second signal at a second tag frequency different from the first tag frequency. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the localization tag is a first localization tag and the system further includes a second localization tag. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the signal at the tag frequency is a first signal at a first tag frequency and the second localization tag generates a second signal at a second tag frequency different from the first tag frequency in response to the alternating magnetic field. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the localization tag includes a fixing component on an outer surface. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the fixing component is deployable. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a component configured to display the presence of the localization tag. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the component is hand-held. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a tag delivery needle configured for delivering the localization tag into a tumor or a tissue of a patient. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the pad is configured to be placed on an operating table and below the patient. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the localization tag is at least partially covered in a biocompatible material. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the excitation coil includes magnet wire wound around a mandrel. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the excitation frequency is an unmodulated swept frequency.