A radio frequency coil includes a non-cylindrical conformal surface (62,
76) that substantially conforms with a magnetic resonance subject. A
plurality of conductor loops (60, 71, 72, 73, 74) are disposed in or on
the non-cylindrical conformal surface. The plurality of conductor loops
are configured to produce a substantially uniform Bi field in the
magnetic resonance subject responsive to energizing at a Bi frequency.
Optionally, a plurality of load-compensating conductor loops (90) are
disposed in or on a compensatory non-cylindrical conformal surface (62)
that substantially conforms with a magnetic resonance subject. The
plurality of load-compensating conductor loops are configured to produce
a non-uniform Bi field that compensates for a loading Bi non-uniformity
caused by the magnetic resonance subject. Moreover, the coil may comprise
switching means for switching the coil between a first mode of operation
(e.g. a volume transmit mode) and a second mode of operation (e.g. a
phased array reception mode).