About the Authors

Yoshitada Sakai

sakai.yoshitada@gm.himeji-du.ac.jp

Affiliations Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan, Faculty of Health Care Sciences, Himeji Dokkyo University, Himeji, Hyogo, Japan

Masahiko Miwa

Affiliation Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan

Keisuke Oe

Affiliation Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan

Takeshi Ueha

Affiliation NeoChemir Inc., Kobe, Hyogo, Japan

Akihiro Koh

Affiliation Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan

Takahiro Niikura

Affiliation Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan

Takashi Iwakura

Affiliation Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan

Sang Yang Lee

Affiliation Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan

Masaya Tanaka

Affiliation NeoChemir Inc., Kobe, Hyogo, Japan

Masahiro Kurosaka

Affiliation Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan

Competing Interests

The hydro-gel was received as a gift from NeoChemir Inc. Takeshi Uhea is a full-time employee of NeoChemir Inc. Masaya Tanaka is Chief Executive Officer of NeoChemir Inc. and has patent licensing arrangements with the hydro-gel and CO2 application. The international patent publication number is WO2004/002393; the publication date is January 8, 2004. This does not alter the authors' adherence to all the PLoS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Author Contributions

Conducted all experiments: YS MM. Created the investigation device for the rat skin experiment: KO TU. Analyzed the data: YS MM KO TU. Contributed to the experiments of the dissociation of Hb using NIRS: TN TI. Developed the novel system of transcutaneous application of CO2: MT. Supervised all aspects of this study: MK. Wrote the manuscript: YS MM SYL.