Radio frequency ("RF") coil assemblies for use in local magnetic resonanceimaging("MRI") of tissues in a subject or patient in an intraoperative setting areprovided. One ormore RF coils are coupled to an absorbent member. A connecting element iscoupled to theRF coil(s) or the absorbent member. When connected to the RF coil(s), theconnectingelement includes a wired connector that communicates signals between the RFcoil(s) and anRF controller. The RF coil assemblies can be made to be disposable.