Figure 1a.

In sheep no. 2, the internal bladder temperature range was 42°C−46°C depending on the thermocouple's location. The refreshing of the intravesical solution and RF discontinuation after 30 min of treatment corresponds to the dip in temperature distribution. During the second part of the experiment, a temperature above 46°C was intentionally employed for limited periods of time, and the maximal internal bladder temperature was then increased to 46°C. Rates of temperature rise were, as expected, higher in the right ventral (4), dome right (6) and left ventral (3) areas of the bladder compared to the posterior wall region, because of the closeness of these areas to the RF antenna. (b). In sheep no. 1 the internal bladder temperature range was 41°C−44.5°C, depending on the thermocouple's location. The refreshing of the intravesical solution and RF discontinuation after 44 min of treatment corresponds to the dip in temperature distribution. The difference in the temperature homogeneity in comparison to sheep no. 2 (Figure 1a) was caused by fluid leakage from the sheep's bladder during the study. As a result, the RF energy had to be altered often (due to variable bladder volume). (c). External bladder temperatures varied in a safety range of 39°C−43°C, even though a temperature above 46°C was intentionally employed for limited periods of time in the bladder. (d). Adjacent organ temperatures were mildly elevated to a maximal temperature value of 40°C even though a temperature above 46°C was intentionally employed for limited periods of time in the bladder. The maximum temperature reached in the adjacent organ is close to the average external bladder wall surface temperature. The rise in temperature in adipose tissue may be explained by the proximity (or even physical contact) of the dorsal adipose tissue with the external bladder wall. In contrast, the more distant (ventral) adipose tissue temperature evolved independently from the bladder wall temperature. (e). External bladder temperatures were raised up to 40°C for a limited period. During most of the study, external bladder temperature remained within a safety limit of 38°C. (f). Adjacent organ temperatures were mildly elevated to a maximal temperature value of 38.4°C. During most of the treatment temperature remained in a safety range of 37–38°C, being mainly influenced by body temperature variations that are assumed to be related to rich vascularization.