The present invention provides a system and method of improved homogeneity whereby at least a portion of an RF coil is filled with homogeneity enhancing material. Disposing the homogeneity enhancing material, such as perfluorocarbon, within the RF coil, implementation of thick saturation pads may be avoided altogether or thinner pads may be used to fill any voids between the patient and the coil. The present invention is particularly useful in a CTL coil assembly for acquiring diagnostic data of the neck region of a patient. However, the advantages achieved by the present invention may be incorporated into other surface coils for other anatomical regions where control of the susceptibility is desired. Additionally, the homogeneity enhancing material also acts as a heat sink for any hot spots on the coil.

 
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> System for optically sectioning and mapping surgically excised tissue

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