Radio frequency coil assemblies for magnetic resonanance imaging systems and methods for making them

A radio frequency coil assembly 2 for an MRI system 10 with cooling. A support structure (6,130, figure 8) extends between a first end 86 and a second end 88 in a first direction and between an inner surface 82 and an opposite outer surface 80 in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The support structure (6,130, figure 8) has channels 100 that extend into the support structure (6,130, figure 8) in the second direction. An RF coil (4, figure 8) is configured to transmit and/or receive RF signals. The RF coil (4, figure 8) is supported by the outer surface 80 of the support structure (6,130, Figure 8). The channels 100 are at least partially positioned between the support structure (6,130, figure 8) and the RF coil (4, figure 8) in the first direction and are configured to convey a cooling medium to cool the support structure (6,130, figure 8) in use.