A coil assembly and a magnetic resonance imaging system employing same are disclosed. The coil assembly includes a main gradient coil assembly having a first section positioned at a first end of the MRI system distal to a patient support system and a second section positioned at a second end of the MRI system proximate to the patient support system. A first RF shield is disposed around at least a portion of the first section of the main gradient coil assembly. A second RF shield is disposed around at least a portion of the second section of the main gradient coil assembly. An aperture extends between the first section and the second section of the main gradient coil assembly and a conduit extends across the aperture. The conduit includes a first end coupled to the first RF shield and a second end coupled to the second RF shield. A hydraulic or electrical connection is disposed within and extends through the conduit. The conduit may also be an antenna element.