NMR spectroscopy body probes with at least one surface coil

An antenna probe for use with an NMR system, comprising:

• an insulative substrate having at least initially planar opposed first and second surfaces arranged to be positioned respectively nearest to and furthest from an adjacent exterior surface of an object to be investigated;
• at least one surface coil antenna, each having at least one turn of a single conductive member connected only between first and second coil ends, fabricated initially as, and reconfigurable to, a planar coil of one of substantially circular and substantially spiral shape in the plane of, and adjacent to, said second substrate surface;
• each surface coil antenna providing a spatially non-uniform magnetic field when a single radio-frequency current flows therethrough;
• means fabricated adjacent to said first surface for substantially attentuating the radio-frequency electric field of any signal radiated by said at least one surface coil antenna;
• and
• at least one means for separately connecting to said first and second coil ends of each different one of said at least one surface coil antenna, to allow each surface coil antenna to provide a single radio-frequency signal, received from said object, to said system or to radiate a single radio-frequency signal, received from said system, to said object.