Patent Publication Number: US-2019184187-A1

Title: Plasma treatment apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the inventive concepts described herein relate to a plasma treatment apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Recently, attempts have been made to treat skin diseases such as acne and an atopic skin disease with plasma. Plasma refers to a state in which matter is divided into electrons with negative charges and ions with positive charges. In plasma, reactivity is maximized so that ionization and recombination of matter are actively performed. Plasma exhibits an effect of improving an affected part through sterilization, skin regeneration, and the like. 
     However, despite the beneficial effects of plasma, treatment apparatuses using plasma have not been widely studied and developed. As a result, there are not many related products and consumers do not have a wide choice of plasma treatment apparatuses. 
     SUMMARY 
     Technical Problem 
     Embodiments of the inventive concepts provide a plasma treatment apparatus that treats a body part such as skin or a wound using plasma. 
     Technical Solution 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, a plasma treatment apparatus includes a cover attached to a body part, a plasma generation unit that generates plasma and provides the plasma to the cover, a gas supply unit that supplies a source gas for generating the plasma to the plasma generation unit, and an exhaust unit that exhausts an exhaust gas from the cover. 
     The cover may include a mask manufactured in advance to cover a face. 
     The cover may include a pad manufactured in advance to cover a wound. 
     The cover may include, at an edge, a sealing part brought into close contact with the body part to seal a space between the cover and the body part. 
     The cover may further include, on a portion facing the body part, a spacing part for maintaining spacing between the cover and the body part. 
     The plasma generation unit may be separated from the cover and may provide the plasma to the cover through a tube that connects the plasma generation unit and the cover. 
     The plasma generation unit may be installed on the cover and may provide the plasma into a space between the cover and the body part. 
     The plasma generation unit may include opposite electrodes disposed to face each other. 
     The gas supply unit may include a fan unit that generates an air flow from a space between the opposite electrodes to the space between the cover and the body part. 
     The plasma generation unit may further include an ozone absorption unit that absorbs ozone between the opposite electrodes and the space between the cover and the body part. 
     The ozone absorption unit may include a filter with manganese dioxide. 
     The plasma generation unit may further include a medicine supply unit that supplies a medicine between the opposite electrodes and the space between the cover and the body part. 
     The medicine supply unit may include a medicine plate with one surface facing the body part and an opposite surface to which the medicine is applied, the medicine plate having a hole through which the plasma mixed with the medicine is sent into the space between the cover and the body part. 
     A medicine may be applied to at least part of one surface of the cover that faces the body part. 
     The plasma generation unit may be integrated with the cover and may generate the plasma in a space between the cover and the body part. 
     The plasma generation unit may include a first electrode formed on an opposite surface of a dielectric material constituting the cover, the opposite surface being opposite to one surface of the dielectric material that faces the body part, and a second electrode formed on the one surface of the dielectric material. 
     The first electrode may cover at least a partial area on the opposite surface of the dielectric material, and the second electrode on the one surface of the dielectric material may cover part of an area that faces the first electrode. 
     A power signal may be applied to the first electrode, and the second electrode may be grounded. 
     The cover may further include a shielding part that shields the first electrode. 
     The cover may further include a medicine applied to the one surface of the dielectric material. 
     The medicine may be applied to at least part of a space formed by the one surface of the dielectric material and the second electrode. 
     The medicine may be applied to a groove formed in at least part of an area on the one surface of the dielectric material that is not covered with the second electrode. 
     The gas supply unit may supply the source gas to the cover through a gas supply tube. 
     The gas supply unit may supply air or an inert gas to the plasma generation unit. 
     The exhaust unit may exhaust air from a space between the cover and the body part before the plasma generation unit generates the plasma after the cover is attached to the body part. 
     The plasma treatment apparatus may further include a by-product removal unit that removes a by-product from the exhaust gas, a sensor unit that detects whether the body part is sealed by the cover, and a controller that controls the plasma generation unit, depending on whether the body part is sealed or not. 
     The sensor unit may include at least one contact sensor that is provided on a boundary surface of the cover that makes contact with the body part and that detects whether the boundary surface and the body part are brought into contact with, or separated from, each other. 
     The controller may stop an operation of the plasma generation unit when the boundary surface and the body part are separated from each other. 
     The controller may stop the operation of the plasma generation unit when any one of a plurality of contact sensors detects that the boundary surface and the body part are separated from each other. 
     The controller may restart the operation of the plasma generation unit when the boundary surface and the body part are brought into contact with each other again. 
     The exhaust unit may include a variable suction pump that takes in the exhaust gas from a space between the cover part and the body part, the variable suction pump being variable in suction pressure. 
     When the boundary surface and the body part are separated from each other, the controller may raise the suction pressure of the variable suction pump and may stop an operation of the variable suction pump after preset time passes. 
     The controller may restart the operation of the variable suction pump when the boundary surface and the body part are brought into contact with each other again. 
     The cover may be configured such that a supply hole through which the cover receives the plasma from the plasma generation unit or receives air from the gas supply unit has a larger area than an exhaust hole through which the exhaust gas is discharged to the exhaust unit. 
     The cover may further include an exhaust hole adjustment unit that hides or opens part of the exhaust hole to adjust the area of the exhaust hole. 
     When the boundary surface and the body part are separated from each other, the controller may control the exhaust hole adjustment unit to open part of the exhaust hole to increase the area of the exhaust hole. 
     When the boundary surface and the body part are brought into contact with each other again, the controller may control the exhaust hole adjustment unit to hide part of the exhaust hole to decrease the area of the exhaust hole. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, a plasma treatment apparatus includes a plasma generation unit that generates plasma, a gas supply unit that supplies a source gas for generating the plasma to the plasma generation unit, a path-providing unit that provides a path along which the plasma generation unit moves above a body part, and a driving unit that moves the plasma generation unit along the path-providing unit. 
     The plasma generation unit may include a first electrode having an empty space through which the source gas passes, a dielectric material that surrounds the first electrode, and a second electrode that surrounds at least part of the dielectric material. 
     The gas supply unit may supply at least one of argon and helium to the plasma generation unit. 
     The path-providing unit may include a rail that supports a wheel included in the plasma generation unit. 
     The path-providing unit may provide a linear path above the body part. 
     The path-providing unit may provide a closed loop path above the body part. 
     The path-providing unit may provide, above one or more predetermined intensive care areas of the body part, an intensive care area path in which a first partial path extending in a first direction, a turning path that turns from the first direction to a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a second partial path extending in the second direction are successively connected. 
     The path-providing unit may provide closed loop paths to a plurality of predetermined intensive care areas of the body part, respectively. 
     The driving unit may include a wheel  241  included in the plasma generation unit and supported by the path-providing unit and a motor included in the plasma generation unit to rotate the wheel. 
     The plasma treatment apparatus may further include a medicine spray unit that sprays a medicine while moving along the path-providing unit. 
     The medicine spray unit following the plasma generation unit may spray the medicine to the body part after the plasma generation unit provides the plasma to the body part. 
     The plasma treatment apparatus may further include a heater that radiates heat while moving along the path-providing unit. 
     The heater ahead of the plasma generation unit may transfer heat to the body part before the plasma generation unit provides the plasma to the body part. 
     The plasma treatment apparatus may further include a medicine mixing unit that has a medicine received therein and is fastened to the plasma generation unit to mix the medicine with the plasma. 
     The medicine mixing unit may include a fastening part fastened to a nozzle through which the plasma is discharged from the plasma generation unit, a medicine receiving part that receives the medicine, and a discharging part that discharges the plasma mixed with the medicine. 
     The fastening part may be screw-coupled to the nozzle. 
     The fastening part may be coupled to a thread formed on the nozzle, the pitch of which is formed in a direction parallel to a nozzle axis. 
     The medicine receiving part may be formed inside the medicine mixing unit and may receive the medicine in a space formed on a transfer path for transferring the plasma from the nozzle to the discharging part. 
     The medicine receiving part may be formed inside the medicine mixing unit and may receive the medicine on a transfer path for transferring the plasma from the nozzle to the discharging part. 
     The transfer path may include a straight tube extending from the nozzle in a straight line. 
     The transfer path may include a curved tube extending from the nozzle in a curve shape. 
     The curved tube may extend on a virtual plane where the nozzle and the discharging part are located. 
     The curved tube may be formed to be wound around a virtual line that connects the nozzle and the discharging part. 
     The transfer path may include a bent tube extending from the nozzle in a broken line shape. 
     The bent tube may extend on a virtual plane where the nozzle and the discharging part are located. 
     The bent tube may be formed to be wound around a virtual line that connects the nozzle and the discharging part. 
     The medicine receiving part may include, in a portion corresponding to a vertex of the bent tube, a cavity for receiving the medicine. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     According to the embodiments of the inventive concept, the plasma treatment apparatuses described above may treat a body part such as skin or a wound using plasma, thereby effectively removing harmful germs in an affected part and promoting regeneration of tissues. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The above and other objects and features will become apparent from the following description with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a plasma treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIGS. 2 to 4  are a front view, a side view, and a sectional view illustrating a cover according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  are a front view and a sectional view illustrating a cover according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 7  is a view illustrating an operation of the plasma treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 8  is a view illustrating a plasma treatment apparatus according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic partial sectional view illustrating a plasma generation unit according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  are a sectional view and a plan view illustrating a medicine supply unit according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view illustrating a cover having a medicine applied to one surface thereof according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic partial sectional view illustrating a plasma generation unit according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIGS. 14 and 15  are partial sectional views illustrating a plasma generation unit according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 16  is a partial sectional view illustrating a plasma generation unit further including a medicine according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 17  is a partial sectional view illustrating a plasma generation unit further including a medicine according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 18  is a partial sectional view illustrating a plasma generation unit further including a medicine according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 19  is a view illustrating an operation of a plasma treatment apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 20  is a flowchart illustrating a process in which a controller controls an operation of a plasma treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 21  is a block diagram illustrating a plasma treatment apparatus according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 22  is a front view illustrating a cover in a plasma treatment apparatus according to another embodiment of the inventive concept, with a boundary surface and a body part making contact with each other; 
         FIG. 23  is a front view illustrating the cover in the plasma treatment apparatus according to another embodiment of the inventive concept, with the boundary surface and the body part separated from each other; 
         FIG. 24  is a flowchart illustrating a process in which a controller controls a plasma generation unit according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 25  is a flowchart illustrating a process in which a controller controls an exhaust unit according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 26  is a front view illustrating a cover in a plasma treatment apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept, with a boundary surface and a body part making contact with each other; 
         FIG. 27  is a front view illustrating the cover in the plasma treatment apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept, with the boundary surface and the body part making contact with each other; 
         FIG. 28  is a flowchart illustrating a process in which a controller controls an exhaust hole adjustment unit according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 29  is a side view illustrating a plasma treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 30  is a sectional view illustrating a plasma generation unit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIGS. 31 and 32  are plan views illustrating the plasma treatment apparatus including a path-providing unit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 33  is a plan view illustrating the plasma treatment apparatus including a path-providing unit according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 34  is a plan view illustrating the plasma treatment apparatus including a path-providing unit according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 35  is a plan view illustrating the plasma treatment apparatus including a path-providing unit according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 36  is a sectional view illustrating a path-providing unit and a driving unit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 37  is a side view illustrating the path-providing unit and a wheel according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, when viewed in the direction A of  FIG. 36 ; 
         FIG. 38  is a side view illustrating a plasma treatment apparatus according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 39  is a plan view illustrating the plasma treatment apparatus according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 40  is a side view illustrating a plasma treatment apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 41  is a plan view illustrating the plasma treatment apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 42  is a side view illustrating a plasma treatment apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIGS. 43 and 44  are a perspective view and a sectional view illustrating a medicine mixing unit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIGS. 45 and 46  are a sectional view and a side view illustrating the medicine mixing unit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; 
         FIGS. 47 to 49  are sectional views illustrating medicine receiving parts and medicines M received therein according to embodiments of the inventive concept; 
         FIG. 50  is a schematic view illustrating transfer paths according to various embodiments of the inventive concept; and 
         FIG. 51  is a sectional view illustrating a transfer path and a cavity formed therein according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Other advantages and features of the inventive concept, and implementation methods thereof will be clarified through the following embodiments to be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The inventive concept may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete and fully conveys the scope of the inventive concept to a person skilled in the art to which the inventive concept pertains. Further, the inventive concept is only defined by the appended claims. 
     Even though not defined, all terms used herein (including technical or scientific terms) have the same meanings as those generally accepted by general technologies in the related art to which the inventive concept pertains. The terms defined in general dictionaries may be construed as having the same meanings as those used in the related art and/or a text of the present application and even when some terms are not clearly defined, they should not be construed as being conceptual or excessively formal. 
     Terms used herein are only for description of embodiments and are not intended to limit the inventive concept. As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” and/or “comprising” used herein specify the presence of stated features or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features or components. In the specification, the term “and/or” indicates each of listed components or various combinations thereof. 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a plasma treatment apparatus  1  according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the plasma treatment apparatus  1  includes a cover  11 , a plasma generation unit  12 , a gas supply unit  13 , and an exhaust unit  14 . The cover  11  is attached to a body part. The plasma generation unit  12  generates plasma and provides the plasma to the cover  11 . The gas supply unit  13  supplies, to the plasma generation unit  12 , a source gas for generating the plasma. The exhaust unit  14  exhausts an exhaust gas from the cover  11 . 
       FIGS. 2 to 4  are a front view, a side view, and a sectional view illustrating the cover  11  according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the cover  11  may include a mask manufactured in advance to cover a face. That is, the cover  11  in this embodiment may be manufactured in a mask type and may be applied to the face. 
     The cover  11  may include a sealing part  111  at the edge thereof. Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , the sealing part  111  may be brought into close contact with the body part at the edge of the cover  11  to seal the space between the cover  11  and the body part. 
     To seal the space between the cover  11  and the body part, the sealing part  111  may be formed of a soft and flexible material and may be brought into close contact with the body part so that air cannot get in or out. For example, the sealing part  111  may be formed of silicone, rubber, a resin, or the like. 
     In the case where the cover  11  is manufactured in a mask type, the sealing part  111  may be provided not only at the outer periphery of the mask but also at the edges of various holes (eye holes, a nose hole, a mouth hole, and the like) to seal the space between the mask and the face. 
     Furthermore, the cover  11  may further include a spacing part  112 . The spacing part  112  may be provided on a portion (e.g., the inside) of the cover  11  that faces the body part and may maintain the spacing between the cover  11  and the body part. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the cover  11  may have a plurality of spacing parts  112  on a portion thereof that faces the body part. As described above, the spacing parts  112  may be provided on predetermined portions on the inside of the cover  11 , and therefore the inside of the cover  11  may be kept spaced apart from the body part by a predetermined distance without adhering to the body part during treatment using plasma. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are a front view and a sectional view illustrating the cover  11  according to another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     According to another embodiment of the inventive concept, the cover  11  may include a pad manufactured in advance to cover a wound. That is, the cover  11  in this embodiment may be manufactured in a pad type and may be applied to the wound. 
     Unlike the cover  11  of a mask type, which is manufactured to match a facial contour, the cover  11  according to this embodiment may be manufactured in a flat surface shape or a curved surface shape with a predetermined curvature. 
     Likewise to the cover  11  of a mask type, the cover  11  of a pad type, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , may include the sealing part  111  at the edge thereof and may further include the spacing parts  112  on a portion thereof that faces the body part. 
       FIG. 7  is a view illustrating an operation of the plasma treatment apparatus  1  according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     The plasma generation unit  12  generates plasma and provides the plasma to the cover  11 . According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the plasma generation unit  12  may be separated from the cover  11  and may provide the plasma to the cover  11  through a tube  113  that connects the plasma generation unit  12  and the cover  11 . That is, the cover  11  and the plasma generation unit  12  in this embodiment may be manufactured as separate modules and may be connected together through the tube  113 . 
     The plasma generation unit  12  may include two opposite electrodes facing each other and may supply power to the opposite electrodes to discharge gas between the electrodes. Plasma generated by the discharge of the gas is transferred to the cover  11  through the tube  113 . 
     At this time, the gas supply unit  13  supplies a source gas to the plasma generation unit  12 . According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the gas supply unit  13  may supply air as the source gas. In this case, the plasma generation unit  12  generates atmospheric plasma. According to another embodiment of the inventive concept, the gas supply unit  13  may supply an inert gas as the source gas. For example, the gas supply unit  13  may supply at least one of argon and helium to the plasma generation unit  12 . In this case, the plasma generation unit  12  generates argon or helium plasma. 
     Furthermore, the exhaust unit  14  exhausts an exhaust gas from the cover  11 . By-products may be generated in the process in which the plasma provided from the plasma generation unit  12  to the cover  11  is applied to the body part. For example, the plasma may generate ozone while making contact with air inside the cover  11 . In addition, when the plasma generation unit  12  receives air as the source gas, the plasma generation unit  12  may generate and provide plasma and ozone to the cover  11 . 
     The exhaust unit  14  may take in an exhaust gas including the by-products from the cover  11  and may discharge the exhaust gas out of the cover  11 . To this end, the exhaust unit  14  may be connected to the cover  11  through an exhaust tube  114  and may include a suction pump to apply a negative pressure to the space between the cover  11  and the body part. 
       FIG. 8  is a view illustrating the plasma treatment apparatus  1  according to another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     According to another embodiment of the inventive concept, the plasma generation unit  12  may be installed on the cover  11  and may provide plasma into the space between the cover  11  and a body part. That is, the plasma generation unit  12  in this embodiment is installed on the cover  11  rather than being separated from the cover  11 , and therefore the cover  11  and the plasma generation unit  12  are provided together. 
     While  FIG. 8  illustrates an example that the plasma generation unit  12  is installed on a forehead part of the cover  11  of a mask type, the location where the plasma generation unit  12  is installed on the cover  11  is not limited thereto. 
     As described above, even in this embodiment, the plasma generation unit  12  may include opposite electrodes disposed to face each other. Although not illustrated in the drawing, the plasma generation unit  12  may include a power supply and may supply, to the opposite electrodes, power for generating plasma. 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic partial sectional view illustrating the plasma generation unit  12  according to another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     As described above, the plasma generation unit  12  in this embodiment is installed on the cover  11  to directly provide plasma to the cover  11  except through a tube. 
     Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the gas supply unit  13  may also be installed on the cover  11  together with the plasma generation unit  12  rather than being connected to the plasma generation unit  12  through a tube. 
     Specifically, referring to  FIG. 9 , the gas supply unit  13  may include a fan unit  131  that generates an air flow from the plasma generation unit  12 , that is, the space between opposite electrodes  121  to the space between the cover  11  and the body part. 
     The fan unit  131  in this embodiment may rotate a fan to supply air to the opposite electrodes  121  as a source gas and move plasma generated by the opposite electrodes  121  inside the cover  11  when power is supplied to the opposite electrodes  121  and discharge occurs in the space between the opposite electrodes  121 . 
     Furthermore, the plasma generation unit  12  may further include an ozone absorption unit  122 . The ozone absorption unit  122  is disposed in the space between the opposite electrodes  121 , the cover  11 , and the body part to absorb ozone. 
     As described above, in the case where the plasma generation unit  12  receives air as a source gas and generates plasma, the plasma generation unit  12  may further generate ozone as by-products, in addition to the plasma. The plasma generation unit  12  in this embodiment may further include the ozone absorption unit  122  between the opposite electrodes  121  and the cover  11 , thereby reducing ozone content in the plasma that is provided to the cover  11 . 
     According to this embodiment, the ozone absorption unit  122  may include a filter having a material for absorbing ozone. For example, the ozone absorption unit  122  may include a filter having manganese dioxide, but the ozone-absorbing material included in the filter is not limited to manganese dioxide. 
     In addition, the plasma generation unit  12  may further include a medicine supply unit  123 . The medicine supply unit  123  is disposed in the space between the opposite electrodes  121 , the cover  11 , and the body part to supply a medicine. 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  are a sectional view and a plan view illustrating the medicine supply unit  123  according to another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     According to this embodiment, the medicine supply unit  123  may include a medicine plate  1231  having holes H formed therethrough, and a medicine M may be applied to a surface of the medicine plate  1231  that is opposite to a surface facing the body part. 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 10 , the medicine plate  1231  may be disposed between the opposite electrodes  121  for generating plasma and the cover  11 , and the medicine M may be applied to the surface (the upper surface in  FIG. 10 ) of the medicine plate  1231 , which is opposite to the surface facing the body part, to form a layer with a predetermined thickness. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the medicine plate  1231  may have the holes H formed therethrough in the thickness direction and may supply plasma mixed with the medicine M into the space between the cover  11  and the body part. As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the holes H may be evenly formed in the medicine plate  1231 . Without being limited thereto, however, the holes H may be unevenly formed in the medicine plate  1231 . 
     According to this embodiment, plasma generated by and moving downward from the opposite electrodes  121  may be mixed with the medicine M applied to the medicine plate  1231  and may be supplied to the cover  11  through the holes H, and therefore the effect of the plasma acting on the body part may be further improved. 
     In the case where the plasma and the medicine M are mixed together and supplied to the body part, the plasma treatment apparatus  1  may enhance the plasma&#39;s unique actions such as sterilization and regeneration, thereby maximizing treatment effects by the plasma. 
     The medicine M in the embodiment of the inventive concept includes any medicine used for treating a body part. 
     For example, in the case where the plasma treatment apparatus  1  is used for skin care, the medicine supply unit  123  may provide a skin care agent as the medicine M and may mix the skin care agent with plasma. In another example, when the plasma treatment apparatus  1  is used for burn treatment, the medicine supply unit  123  may provide a burn treatment agent as the medicine M and may mix the burn treatment agent with plasma. 
     In yet another example, the medicine supply unit  123  may provide hydrogen peroxide as the medicine M. For example, gel-type hydrogen peroxide with a predetermined concentration may be applied to the upper surface of the medicine plate  1231 . In this case, the plasma treatment apparatus  1  may supply plasma generated by the plasma generation unit  12  to the cover  11  through the medicine supply unit  123  to provide the plasma mixed with the hydrogen peroxide to the body part, thereby further improving sterilization effects of the plasma. 
     In addition, the medicine M may be applied to at least a portion of a surface of the cover  11  that faces the body part. 
       FIG. 12  is a front view illustrating the cover  11  having the medicine M applied to one surface thereof according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the plasma treatment apparatus  1  may have the medicine supply unit  123  included in the plasma generation unit  12 , and the medicine M may be applied to one surface (that is, the inside) of the cover  11  that faces a body part. 
     As a result, plasma supplied from the plasma generation unit  12  may be sufficiently mixed with the medicine M while moving toward the edge of the cover  11  and spreading over the entire area of the cover  11 , and therefore enhanced effects of the plasma may be kept during treatment. 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic partial sectional view illustrating the plasma generation unit  12  according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     The plasma generation unit  12  illustrated in  FIG. 9  has the fan unit  131  that is installed as the gas supply unit  13  to supply air to the opposite electrodes  121 . 
     In contrast, according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept, the fan unit  131  is not installed in the plasma generation unit  12 , but the gas supply unit  13  may be connected to the plasma generation unit  12  through a tube to supply a source gas to the opposite electrodes  121 . 
     This embodiment may be applied in the case where an inert gas such as argon or helium, rather than air, is supplied as the source gas. In the case where an inert gas is used as the source gas, the opposite electrodes  121  do not generate ozone when generating plasma. Therefore, the plasma generation unit  12  may not include the ozone absorption unit  122  and may include only the medicine supply unit  123 , unlike in the embodiment of  FIG. 9 . 
     In the above-described embodiments, the cover  11  and the plasma generation unit  12  are separately manufactured and connected through the tube  113 , or the plasma generation unit  12  is installed on the cover  11 . 
     However, according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept, the plasma generation unit  12  may be integrated with the cover  11  and may generate plasma in the space between the cover  11  and the body part. 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  are partial sectional views illustrating the plasma generation unit  12  according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept, the plasma generation unit  12  may include a first electrode  1211  and a second electrode  1212 . The first electrode  1211  may be formed on an opposite surface of a dielectric material  1101  that is opposite to one surface thereof that faces a body part, and the second electrode  1212  may be formed on the one surface of the dielectric material  1101 . The dielectric material  1101  may constitute the cover  11 . That is, the plasma generation unit  12  in this embodiment may include the first electrode  1211  and the second electrode  1212  facing each other with the dielectric material  1101  therebetween, which constitutes the cover  11 . 
     According to this embodiment, the first electrode  1211  covers at least a partial area on the opposite surface of the dielectric material  1101 . The second electrode  1212  on the one surface of the dielectric material  1101  covers part of the area that faces the first electrode  1211 . 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the first electrode  1211  is formed to cover all or part of the upper surface of the dielectric material  1101  that constitutes the cover  11 . The second electrode  1212  on the lower surface of the dielectric material  1101  covers part of the area that faces the first electrode  1211 . As a result, unlike the upper surface of the dielectric material  1101  where the first electrode  1211  is formed, the lower surface of the dielectric material  1101  where the second electrode  1212  is formed is divided into a covered area and an uncovered area. 
     Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , a power signal may be applied to the first electrode  1211 , and the second electrode  1212  may be grounded. For example, a high-voltage direct current signal or a high-frequency signal may be applied to the first electrode  1211 , and the second electrode  1212  may be grounded. Therefore, the first and second electrodes  1211  and  1212  may form a potential difference with the dielectric material  1101  therebetween. 
     Due to this, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the plasma generation unit  12  may generate plasma with respect to the area on the lower surface of the dielectric material  1101  that is not covered with the second electrode  1212 , more specifically, the corner portion where the second electrode  1212  and the dielectric material  1101  meet each other. 
     Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the cover  11  may further include a shielding part  1102  for shielding the first electrode  1211 . 
     Since the plasma generation unit  12 , as described above, applies a high-voltage power signal to the first electrode  1211  to generate plasma, the shielding part  1102  may shield the first electrode  1211  to protect a user of the plasma treatment apparatus  1  from a risk of electric shock. However, the second electrode  1212  facing the body part does not have to be separately shielded since the second electrode  1212  is grounded and therefore there is no risk of electric shock. 
       FIG. 16  is a partial sectional view illustrating the plasma generation unit  12  further including a medicine M according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     In addition, according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the cover  11  may further include the medicine M applied to the one surface of the dielectric material  1101 . 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the medicine M may be entirely applied to the lower surface of the dielectric material  1101  on which the second electrode  1212  is formed. 
       FIG. 17  is a partial sectional view illustrating the plasma generation unit  12  further including a medicine M according to another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     According to another embodiment of the inventive concept, the medicine M may be applied to the space formed by the one surface of the dielectric material  1101  and the second electrode  1212 . 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the medicine M is not entirely applied to the lower surface of the dielectric material  1101  on which the second electrode  1212  is formed, but may fill at least part of the space surrounded by the lower surface of the dielectric material  1101  and the side surfaces of the second electrode  1212 . 
       FIG. 18  is a partial sectional view illustrating the plasma generation unit  12  further including a medicine M according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept, the medicine M may be applied to a groove  1103  formed in at least part of the area on the one surface of the dielectric material  1101  that is not covered with the second electrode  1212 . 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the dielectric material  1101  may further include the groove  1103  formed in all or part of the remaining area other than the area on the lower surface of the dielectric material  1101  that is covered with the second electrode  1212 . The groove  1103  may be filled with the medicine M. 
     As described above, the plasma generation unit  12  may further include the medicine M on the one surface of the dielectric material  1101 , on which the second electrode  1212  is formed, thereby further increasing treatment effects of plasma on a body part. 
       FIG. 19  is a view illustrating an operation of the plasma treatment apparatus  1  according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     In the embodiment in which the plasma generation unit  12  is integrated with the cover  11 , the gas supply unit  13  may supply a source gas to the cover  11  through a gas supply tube  115 . 
     For example, the gas supply unit  13  may supply air to the cover  11  through the gas supply tube  115 . In this case, the plasma generation unit  12  generates atmospheric plasma. In another example, the gas supply unit  13  may supply at least one of argon and helium to the cover  11  through the gas supply tube  115 . In this case, the plasma generation unit  12  generates argon or helium plasma. 
     As in the other embodiments, the plasma generation unit  12  may generate plasma and may provide the plasma to the cover  11 , and ozone may be generated as by-products. The exhaust unit  14  may take in an exhaust gas including the by-products from the cover  11  and may discharge the exhaust gas out of the cover  11 . 
     Although not illustrated in the drawing, the plasma treatment apparatus  1  may further include a controller. The controller may control operations of the plasma generation unit  12 , the gas supply unit  13 , and the exhaust unit  14  to enable a user to perform treatment on a body part using the plasma treatment apparatus  1 . 
       FIG. 20  is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the controller controls an operation of the plasma treatment apparatus  1  according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     Referring to  FIG. 20 , the controller may control to perform process S 110  of exhausting air from the space between the cover  11  and a body part by the exhaust unit  14 , process S 120  of supplying a source gas to the plasma generation unit  12  by the gas supply unit  13 , process S 130  of generating plasma by the plasma generation unit  12 , and process S 140  of discharging an exhaust gas from the space between the cover  11  and the body part by the exhaust unit  14 . 
     According to this embodiment, the exhaust unit  14  exhausts air from the space between the cover  11  and the body part before the plasma generation unit  12  generates plasma after the cover  11  is attached to the body part. 
     Due to this, a negative pressure may be applied to the space between the cover  11  and the body part, and therefore the cover  11  may be brought into close contact with the body part. Furthermore, the negative pressure applied to the space between the cover  11  and the body part may open hair follicles of the body part, thereby further increasing beauty effects by plasma when the plasma treatment apparatus  1  is used for skin care. In addition, since pressure is decreased in the space between the cover  11  and the body part, plasma firing voltage may be lowered, which may lead to an improvement in plasma generation efficiency. 
       FIG. 21  is a block diagram illustrating the plasma treatment apparatus  1  according to another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     Referring to  FIG. 21 , the plasma treatment apparatus  1  may further include a by-product removal unit  15 , a sensor unit  16 , and a controller  17 . 
     The by-product removal unit  15  removes by-products from an exhaust gas. The sensor unit  16  detects whether a body part is sealed by the cover  11 . The controller  17  controls the plasma generation unit  12 , depending on whether the body part is sealed or not. 
     The by-product removal unit  15  may include a filter that removes by-products included in the exhaust gas while allowing the exhaust gas to pass through. 
     According to an embodiment, the by-product removal unit  15  may include an ozone removal filter that removes ozone from the exhaust gas. That is, a by-product removed by the by-product removal unit  15  in this embodiment is ozone. 
     The ozone removal filter may have a material for absorbing ozone. For example, the ozone removal filter may have manganese dioxide as an ozone absorbing material, but the material included in the filter is not limited to manganese dioxide. 
     By-products removed from the exhaust gas by the by-product removal unit  15  are not limited to ozone. The by-product removal unit  15  may remove various other by-products harmful to human bodies or an environment. 
     The by-product removal unit  15  may filter the exhaust gas passing through the exhaust unit  14  to remove by-products. In other words, the exhaust gas exhausted from the cover  11  may pass through the by-product removal unit  15  past the exhaust unit  14  and may be discharged out of the plasma treatment apparatus  1 . 
     However, according to another embodiment, the by-product removal unit  15  may be disposed between the cover  11  and the exhaust unit  14 . For example, the by-product removal unit  15  may be installed in an exhaust tube that connects the cover  11  and the exhaust unit  14 . In another example, the by-product removal unit  15  may be installed in an exhaust hole included in the cover  11  and may remove by-products in an exhaust gas leaving the cover  11 . 
     While  FIG. 21  illustrates an example that the exhaust gas passing through the exhaust unit  14  and the by-product removal unit  15  is discharged out of the plasma treatment apparatus  1 , the exhaust gas may be supplied to the plasma generation unit  12  again. In other words, the exhaust unit  14  may supply the exhaust gas to the plasma generation unit  12  to allow the exhaust gas to circulate in the plasma treatment apparatus  1 . 
     In this case, the plasma treatment apparatus  1  may form a closed system. Therefore, even though by-products are slightly included in the exhaust gas passing through the by-product removal unit  15 , a user is less likely to be exposed to the by-products while the apparatus is in operation since the exhaust gas is not discharged to the outside. 
       FIG. 22  is a front view illustrating the cover  11  in the plasma treatment apparatus  1  according to another embodiment of the inventive concept, with a boundary surface and a body part making contact with each other.  FIG. 23  is a front view illustrating the cover  11  in the plasma treatment apparatus  1  according to another embodiment of the inventive concept, with the boundary surface and the body part separated from each other. 
     The sensor unit  16  detects whether the body part is sealed by the cover  11 . 
     According to an embodiment, the sensor unit  16  may include at least one contact sensor  161  that is provided on the boundary surface of the cover  11  making contact with the body part and that detects whether the boundary surface and the body part are brought into contact with, or separated from, each other. 
     For example, referring to  FIGS. 22 and 23 , the at least one contact sensor  161  may be provided on the boundary surface (e.g., the sealing part  111 ) of the cover  11  that makes contact with the body part. When the boundary surface of the cover  11  makes contact with the body part, the contact sensor  161  may detect the contact and may output an electrical signal corresponding to the contact. 
     According to another embodiment, the sensor unit  16  may include at least one pressure sensor provided on the boundary surface of the cover  11 . The pressure sensor may detect pressure exerted on the pressure sensor and may convert the pressure into an electrical signal. The pressure sensor may include, for example, a strain gauge, a load cell, or the like. 
     In the case where the pressure sensor is used to detect whether the body part is sealed or not, when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor is lower than a preset threshold value, it may be determined that the body part is not sealed, and when the pressure is higher than or equal to the threshold value, it may be determined that the body part is sealed. 
     The controller  17  controls the plasma generation unit  12 , depending on whether the body part is sealed or not. 
     According to an embodiment, the controller  17  may stop an operation of the plasma generation unit  12  in the case where the body part is not sealed. 
     For example, in the case where the contact sensor  161  is used to detect whether the body part is sealed or not, the controller  17 , as illustrated in  FIG. 23 , may stop an operation of the plasma generation unit  12  to stop the supply of plasma to the cover  11  when the contact sensor  161  detects the separation of the boundary surface and the body part. 
     In the case where a plurality of contact sensors  161  are installed on the cover  11 , the controller  117  may stop an operation of the plasma generation unit  12  when any one of the plurality of contact sensors  161  detects the separation of the boundary surface and the body part. In other words, when any one of the plurality of contact sensors  161  detects the separation of the boundary surface and the body part, the plasma generation unit  12  stops operating. 
     In addition, the controller  17  may restart the operation of the plasma generation unit  12  in the case where the body part is sealed again. 
     For example, in the case where the contact sensor  161  detects the contact between the boundary surface and the body part again, the controller  17 , as illustrated in  FIG. 22 , may restart the operation of the plasma generation unit  12  to start the supply of plasma to the cover  11  again. 
       FIG. 24  is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the controller  17  controls the plasma generation unit  12  according to another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     Referring to  FIG. 24 , the controller  17  may control to perform process S 111  of generating plasma by the plasma generation unit  12 , process S 113  of stopping an operation of the plasma generation unit  12  when a boundary surface and a body part are separated from each other (Y in Process S 112 ), and process S 115  of restarting the operation of the plasma generation unit  12  when the boundary surface and the body part make contact with each other again (Y in Process S 114 ). 
     As described above, the controller  17  may control the plasma generation unit  12 , depending on whether the body part is sealed or not. Accordingly, in the case where the body part is not sealed by the cover  11  and therefore an exhaust gas is likely to be leaked, the plasma generation unit  12  may stop operating to stop generation of plasma and by-products generated along with the plasma. 
     According to another embodiment of the inventive concept, the controller  17  may control the exhaust unit  14 , depending on whether the body part is sealed or not. 
     According to this embodiment, the exhaust unit  14  may include a suction pump that takes in an exhaust gas from the space between the cover  11  and the body part. The suction pump may be a variable suction pump that is variable in suction pressure. 
     In the case where the body part is not sealed, the controller  17  may raise the suction pressure of the variable suction pump. Thereafter, the controller  17  may stop an operation of the variable suction pump after preset time passes. 
     For example, when the contact sensor  161  detects that the boundary surface and the body part are separated from each other, the controller  17  may temporarily raise the suction pressure of the variable suction pump and may stop an operation of the variable suction pump after preset time passes. 
     In addition, the controller  17  may restart the operation of the variable suction pump in the case where the body part is sealed again. 
     For example, in the case where the contact sensor  161  detects contact between the boundary surface and the body part again, the controller  17  may restart the operation of the variable suction pump. 
       FIG. 25  is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the controller  17  controls the exhaust unit  14  according to another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     Referring to  FIG. 25 , the controller  17  may control to perform process S 121  of exhausting an exhaust gas by the exhaust unit  14 , process S 123  of raising the suction pressure of a variable suction pump included in the exhaust unit  14  in the case where a boundary surface and a body part are separated from each other (Y in Process S 122 ), process S 125  of stopping an operation of the exhaust unit  14  after preset time passes (Y in Process S 124 ), and process S 127  of restarting the operation of the exhaust unit  14  in the case where the boundary surface and the body part make contact with each other again (Y in Process S 126 ). 
     The controller  17  may control the exhaust unit  14  and the variable suction pump included therein, depending on whether the body part is sealed or not. As a result, in the case where the body part is not sealed by the cover  11  and therefore the exhaust gas is likely to be leaked, the suction pressure of the variable suction pump may be instantaneously raised to rapidly discharge by-products present in the space between the cover  11  and the body part from the cover  11 . 
     According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the cover  11  may be configured such that the area of a supply hole S through which plasma is supplied from the plasma generation unit  12  into the cover  11  is greater than the area of an exhaust hole E through which the exhaust gas is discharged to the exhaust unit  14 . 
     For example, referring to  FIGS. 22 and 23 , the area of the supply hole S that is formed in the cover  11  and through which plasma generated by the plasma generation unit  12  passes may be greater than the area of the exhaust hole E that is formed in the cover  11  and through which the exhaust gas passes. In other words, the area of the exhaust hole E through which the exhaust gas is discharged from the cover  11  is smaller than the area of the supply hole S through which plasma is introduced into the cover  11 . 
     In the case where, as illustrated in  FIG. 19 , the plasma generation unit  12  is integrated with the cover  11  and plasma is generated in the space between the cover  11  and the body part, the area of the supply hole S through which a source gas is supplied from the gas supply unit  13  may be greater than the area of the exhaust hole E. 
     According to this embodiment, time during which plasma stays in the cover  11  may be increased, and therefore the plasma may sufficiently interact with the body part, thereby effectively performing treatment on the body part. 
       FIG. 26  is a front view illustrating the cover  11  in the plasma treatment apparatus  1  according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept, with a boundary surface and a body part making contact with each other.  FIG. 27  is a front view illustrating the cover  11  in the plasma treatment apparatus  1  according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept, with the boundary surface and the body part separated from each other. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept, the cover  11  may further include an exhaust hole adjustment unit  18  that hides or opens a portion of the exhaust hole E to adjust the area of the exhaust hole E. 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 26 , the exhaust hole adjustment unit  18  may hide a portion of the exhaust hole E when plasma is supplied into the cover  11  to perform treatment on the body part. At this time, the exhaust hole adjustment unit  18  installed in the exhaust hole E may hide a portion of the entire area of the exhaust hole E such that the area of the exhaust hole E is smaller than the area of the supply hole S as described above. 
     According to this embodiment, in the case where the body part is not sealed, the controller  17  may control the exhaust hole adjustment unit  18  such that a portion of the exhaust hole E is opened to increase the area of the exhaust hole E. 
     For example, in the case where the boundary surface of the cover  11  and the body part are separated from each other and therefore the body part is not sealed, the controller  17 , as illustrated in  FIG. 27 , may control the exhaust hole adjustment unit  18  to open a portion of the exhaust hole E hidden by the exhaust hole adjustment unit  18  to increase the area of the exhaust hole E. 
     To adjust the area of the exhaust hole E depending on whether the body part is sealed or not, the exhaust hole adjustment unit  18  may include a screen that is movable on a plane where the exhaust hole E is located, like a shutter of a camera. The screen may be operated by an actuator that operates according to a control signal of the controller  17 . 
     In addition, in this embodiment, in the case where the body part is sealed again, the controller  17  may control the exhaust hole adjustment unit  18  such that a portion of the exhaust hole E is hidden again to decrease the area of the exhaust hole E. 
     For example, in the case where the boundary surface of the cover  11  and the body part make contact with each other again and therefore the body part is sealed, the controller  17 , as illustrated in  FIG. 26 , may operate the exhaust hole adjustment unit  18  to hide a partial area of the exhaust hole E again to decrease the area of the exhaust hole E. 
       FIG. 28  is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the controller  17  controls the exhaust hole adjustment unit  18  according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     Referring to  FIG. 28 , the controller  17  may control to perform process S 132  of controlling the exhaust hole adjustment unit  18  to open a portion of the exhaust hole E to increase the area of the exhaust hole E when a boundary surface and a body part are separated from each other (Y in Process S 131 ) and process S 134  of controlling the exhaust hole adjustment unit  18  to hide a portion of the exhaust hole E to decrease the area of the exhaust hole E when the boundary surface and the body part make contact with each other again (Y in Process S 133 ). 
     The controller  17  may control the exhaust hole adjustment unit  18  to adjust the area of the exhaust hole E, depending on whether the body part is sealed or not. As a result, in the case where the body part is not sealed by the cover  11  and therefore an exhaust gas is likely to be leaked, the area of the exhaust hole E may be increased to increase the amount of exhaust gas discharged from the cover  11  by the exhaust unit  14 , thereby rapidly discharging by-products remaining in the space between the cover  11  and the body part from the cover  11 . 
     The above-described plasma treatment apparatus  1  relates to a closed-type plasma treatment system that covers and seals a body part with the cover  11  such as a mask or a pad and then treats the body part with plasma or plasma and medicine. Hereinafter, an open-type plasma treatment system will be described that treats a body part with plasma or plasma and medicine, with the body part not being sealed. 
       FIG. 29  is a side view illustrating a plasma treatment apparatus  2  according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     The plasma treatment apparatus  2  according to an embodiment of the inventive concept includes a plasma generation unit  21 , a gas supply unit (not illustrated), a path-providing unit  23 , and a driving unit  24 . 
     The plasma generation unit  21  generates plasma. The gas supply unit supplies, to the plasma generation unit  21 , a source gas for generating the plasma. The path-providing unit  23  provides a path along which the plasma generation unit  21  moves above a body part. The driving unit  24  moves the plasma generation unit  21  along the path-providing unit  23 . 
     The plasma generation unit  21  may discharge the source gas with high voltage to divide gas in a discharging space into electrons and ions. The source gas excited into a plasma state by the plasma generation unit  21  is sprayed from a nozzle of the plasma generation unit  21  and provided to the body part. 
     A face is illustrated in  FIG. 29  as an example of the body part to be treated with plasma. Without being limited thereto, however, the body part includes various body parts. 
       FIG. 30  is a sectional view illustrating the plasma generation unit  21  according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the plasma generation unit  21  may include a first electrode  211  having an empty space through which the source gas passes, a dielectric material  213  surrounding the first electrode  211 , and a second electrode  212  surrounding at least part of the dielectric material  213 . 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 30 , the first and second electrodes  211  and  212  may face each other with the dielectric material  213  therebetween. Here, the second electrode  212  on the outside of the plasma generation unit  21  may be disposed to surround a partial area of the first electrode  211  inside the plasma generation unit  21 . 
     That is, the first electrode  211  and the second electrode  212  have hollow cylindrical shapes with different diameters and lengths and are disposed to overlap each other with the dielectric material  213  therebetween. However, the area of the first electrode  211  that overlaps the second electrode  212  is a partial area of the first electrode  211 . 
     Furthermore, the plasma treatment apparatus  2  further includes a power supply that supplies power for generating plasma to the plasma generation unit  21 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 30 , the power supply may apply a power signal to the first electrode  211  and may ground the second electrode  212 . The power supply may apply a high-voltage direct current signal or a high-frequency signal as the power signal. 
     According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the gas supply unit may supply an inert gas to the plasma generation unit  21  as the source gas. For example, the gas supply unit may supply at least one of argon and helium. In the case where the inert gas such as argon or helium is supplied as the source gas, ozone harmful to a human body may be minimized when plasma is generated. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 29 , the path-providing unit  23  provides a path along which the plasma generation unit  21  moves above the body part to be treated. 
     Although not illustrated in  FIG. 29 , the path-providing unit  23  may include a rail that supports a wheel included in the plasma generation unit  21 . In this case, the wheel included in the plasma generation unit  21  may rotates on the rail, and therefore the plasma generation unit  21  may move along the rail. 
       FIGS. 31 and 32  are plan views illustrating the plasma treatment apparatus  2  including the path-providing unit  23  according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the path-providing unit  23  may provide a linear path that linearly extends above the body part. 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 31 , the path-providing unit  23  may include a linear rail that extends in a straight line. In the case where the body part to be treated with plasma is too wide like a face to be treated with one rail, the path-providing unit  23  may include two or more rails to increase the area to which plasma is provided by the plasma generation unit  21 . 
     In another example, as illustrated in  FIG. 32 , the path-providing unit  23  may include a curved rail that extends in a curve. In other words, the path provided by the path-providing unit  23  includes a curved path as well as a linear path. 
     In the case where the path-providing unit  23  provides a curved path above the body part, the curvature or length of the path may be determined and manufactured in advance to be appropriate for the body part to be treated with plasma. 
       FIG. 33  is a plan view illustrating the plasma treatment apparatus  2  including the path-providing unit  23  according to another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     According to another embodiment of the inventive concept, the path-providing unit  23  may provide a loop path that extends in a loop shape above the body part. 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 33 , the path-providing unit  23  may include a loop rail with a loop shape. That is, unlike the above-described path-providing unit  23  including the linear rail, the path-providing unit  23  in this embodiment includes a closed loop rail. Likewise to the linear rail, the loop rail may also have a shape or size determined in advance to be appropriate for the body part to be treated with plasma. 
       FIG. 33  illustrates an example that two plasma generation units  21  provide plasma to a face while moving along the loop rail disposed above the face. Without being limited thereto, however, the number of plasma generation units  21  moving along the loop rail may be one or three or more according to embodiments. 
       FIG. 34  is a plan view illustrating the plasma treatment apparatus  2  including the path-providing unit  23  according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept, the path-providing unit  23  may provide an intensive care area path in which a first partial path, a turning path, and a second partial path are successively connected. 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 34 , the path-providing unit  23  may provide, above one or more predetermined intensive care areas A 1 , A 2 , and A 3  of the body part, an intensive care area path in which a first partial path  2311  extending in a first direction D 1 , a turning path  2310  that turns in a second direction D 2  opposite to the first direction D 1 , and a second partial path  2312  extending in the second direction D 2  are successively connected. 
     In this embodiment, the intensive care areas A 1 , A 2 , and A 3  may be parts to which plasma is intensively provided for treatment, and may correspond to affected parts where acne, an atopic skin disease, a wound, and the like are located. The body part to be treated with plasma in  FIG. 34  is a face, and the intensive care areas A 1 , A 2 , and A 3  are the forehead and the cheeks. However, the sizes and number of the intensive care areas A 1 , A 2 , and A 3  may be determined in advance based on the location of the body part to be treated with plasma, or the location and size of an affected part in the body part. 
     As described above, the path-providing unit  23  may provide, above an affected part that has to be intensively treated, the intensive care area path in which the first partial path  2311 , the turning path  2310 , and the second partial path  2312  are successively connected, thereby enabling the plasma generation unit  21  to intensively provide plasma to a local part of a body for a long time. 
       FIG. 35  is a plan view illustrating the plasma treatment apparatus  2  including the path-providing unit  23  according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept, the path-providing unit  23  may provide closed loop paths  231 ,  232 , and  233  to a plurality of predetermined intensive care areas A 1 , A 2 , and A 3  of the body part, respectively. That is, the path-providing unit  23  in this embodiment provides, above the intensive care areas A 1 , A 2 , and A 3 , the loop paths  231 ,  232 , and  233  instead of a crooked intensive care area path. 
     The sizes and shapes of the loop paths  231 ,  232 , and  233  may be determined in advance based on the sizes and shapes of the intensive care areas A 1 , A 2 , and A 3  that have to be intensively treated. 
     The plasma generation unit  21  may be provided on the loop paths  231 ,  232 , and  233  to consistently provide plasma to a local part of a body while circulating the intensive care areas A 1 , A 2 , and A 3  along the paths. 
       FIG. 36  is a sectional view illustrating the path-providing unit  23  and the driving unit  24  according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, and  FIG. 37  is a side view illustrating the path-providing unit  23  and a wheel  241  according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, when viewed in the direction A of  FIG. 36 . 
     As described above, the driving unit  24  moves the plasma generation unit  21  along the path-providing unit  23 . 
     According to an embodiment, the driving unit  24  may include the wheel  241  and a motor  242 . The wheel  241  is included in the plasma generation unit  21  and supported by the path-providing unit  23 . The motor  242  is included in the plasma generation unit  21  to rotate the wheel  241 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 36 , the plasma generation unit  21  may include the motor  242 , and the wheel  241  may be coupled to a rotary shaft  243  extending from the motor  242 . The wheel  241  may be coupled to the inside of the rail of the path-providing unit  23  and may be supported by at least one surface of the rail. 
     According to this embodiment, as the motor  242  operates, the wheel  241  coupled to the rotary shaft  243  rotates, and as the wheel  241  rotates as illustrated in  FIG. 37 , the plasma generation unit  21  moves along the rail together with the wheel  241 . 
     In this embodiment, the driving unit  24  moves the plasma generation unit  21  along the path-providing unit  23  by using the wheel  241  and the motor  242 . However, the technical idea that the driving unit  24  employs to move the plasma generation unit  21  is not limited thereto. The driving unit  24  may move the plasma generation unit  21  along the path-providing unit  23  through various types of means. 
       FIG. 38  is a side view illustrating the plasma treatment apparatus  2  according to another embodiment of the inventive concept, and  FIG. 39  is a plan view illustrating the plasma treatment apparatus  2  according to another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     According to another embodiment of the inventive concept, the plasma treatment apparatus  2  may further include a medicine spray unit  25 . The medicine spray unit  25  sprays a medicine while moving along the path-providing unit  23 . 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 38 and 39 , the medicine spray unit  25  following the plasma generation unit  21  may spray the medicine to a body part after the plasma generation unit  21  provides plasma to the body part. 
     Since the medicine spray unit  25  sprays the medicine after the plasma generation unit  21  provides the plasma to the body part, treatments using the plasma and the medicine may be performed together. 
     In the case where the path-providing unit  23  provides a linear path above the body part as illustrated in  FIG. 38 , movement of the plasma generation unit  21  and the medicine spray unit  25  may be limited, and operation control (stopping, turning, or the like) thereof may be complicated. However, in the case where the path-providing unit  23  provides a closed loop path as illustrated in  FIG. 39 , the plasma generation unit  21  and the medicine spray unit  25  may consistently supply the plasma and the medicine to the body part without separate control as long as the plasma generation unit  21  and the medicine spray unit  25  move at the same speed so as not to collide with each other. 
       FIG. 40  is a side view illustrating the plasma treatment apparatus  2  according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept, and  FIG. 41  is a plan view illustrating the plasma treatment apparatus  2  according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept, the plasma treatment apparatus  2  may further include a heater  26 . The heater  26  radiates heat while moving along the path-providing unit  23 . 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 40 and 41 , the heater  26  ahead of the plasma generation unit  21  may transfer heat to a body part before the plasma generation unit  21  provides plasma to the body part. 
     As a result, the temperature of skin may be raised by heating before plasma and a medicine are provided to the body part, and therefore the action of the plasma on the body part and the absorption of the medicine may be promoted, thereby improving treatment effects. 
     Likewise to the plasma generation unit  21 , the medicine spray unit  25  and the heater  26  also move along the path-providing unit  23 . Accordingly, a component similar to the driving unit  24  described above may be applied to the medicine spray unit  25  and the heater  26  to move the medicine spray unit  25  and the heater  26  along the rail. 
       FIG. 42  is a side view illustrating the plasma treatment apparatus  2  according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept, the plasma treatment apparatus  2  may further include a medicine mixing unit  27 . The medicine mixing unit  27  having a medicine received therein is fastened to the plasma generation unit  21  to mix the medicine with plasma. 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 45 , the medicine mixing unit  27  may be fastened to a nozzle through which plasma is discharged from the plasma generation unit  21 . Since the medicine mixing unit  27  has the medicine received therein and is fastened to the plasma generation unit  21 , the plasma generation unit  21  may provide, to a body part, plasma mixed with the medicine through the medicine mixing unit  27 . 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the medicine mixing unit  27  will be described in detail with reference to drawings. 
       FIGS. 43 and 44  are a perspective view and a sectional view illustrating the medicine mixing unit  27  according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     The medicine mixing unit  27  according to an embodiment of the inventive concept is a member attached to the plasma generation unit  21  to further enhance unique actions of plasma. The medicine mixing unit  27  has a medicine M for enhancing actions of plasma and provides plasma mixed with the medicine M. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 43 and 44 , the medicine mixing unit  27  includes a fastening part  271  coupled to the plasma generation unit  21 , a medicine receiving part  272  that receives the medicine M for enhancing actions of plasma, and a discharging part  273  that discharges plasma including the medicine M. 
     The fastening part  271  may be fastened to the nozzle through which plasma is discharged from the plasma generation unit  21 . Since the fastening part  271  is fastened to an end portion of the nozzle of the plasma generation unit  21 , plasma generated by the plasma generation unit  21  is discharged to the outside along with the medicine M past the medicine mixing unit  27 . 
       FIGS. 45 and 46  are a sectional view and a side view illustrating the medicine mixing unit  27  according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the fastening part  271  may be screw-coupled to the nozzle of the plasma generation unit  21 . As illustrated in  FIG. 45 , for the screw-coupling of the fastening part  271  and the nozzle of the plasma generation unit  21 , the nozzle and the fastening part  271  have threads engaged with each other. 
     In addition, according to this embodiment, the fastening part  271  may be coupled to a thread formed on the nozzle, the pitch of which is formed in a direction parallel to a nozzle axis X. In other words, as illustrated in  FIG. 45 , the pitch of the thread formed on the nozzle may extend in the direction of the nozzle axis X. 
     Due to the above-described structure, a user, as illustrated in  FIG. 46 , may rotate the medicine mixing unit  27  about the nozzle axis X to adjust the degree to which the medicine mixing unit  27  protrudes. According to this embodiment, in the case where the length of a plasma jet discharged from the discharging part  273  of the medicine mixing unit  27  is restricted and the distance between a target part (e.g., a body part) to which plasma is applied and the medicine mixing unit  27  is not constant, the user may adjust the degree to which the medicine mixing unit  27  protrudes toward the target part, thereby effectively applying plasma to the target part. 
     The medicine receiving part  272  receives the medicine M for enhancing actions of plasma. 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 43 to 45 , the medicine M may be applied to the inner surface of the medicine mixing unit  272 , and plasma passing through the medicine receiving part  272  may be mixed with the medicine M. 
       FIGS. 47 to 49  are sectional views illustrating the medicine receiving part  272  and the medicine M received therein according to embodiments of the inventive concept. 
     According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the medicine receiving part  272  may be formed inside the medicine mixing unit  27  and may receive the medicine M in a space R formed on a transfer path P for transferring plasma from the plasma generation unit  21  to the discharging part  273 . 
     That is, the medicine mixing unit  27  in this embodiment may be configured to ensure the space R with a predetermined size on the transfer path P through which plasma passes, and the medicine M may be received in the space R. 
     According to an embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 47 , the space R and the transfer path P may be distinguished from each other with a partition wall  221  therebetween. In this case, the medicine M may be received between the partition wall  221  and an inner wall of the medicine receiving part  272 . 
     According to another embodiment of the inventive concept, the medicine receiving part  272  may be formed inside the medicine mixing unit  27  and may receive the medicine M on the transfer path P for transferring plasma from the plasma generation unit  21  to the discharging part  273 . 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 48 , the medicine mixing unit  27  may have a tapered shape that becomes gradually narrower toward one end, and the medicine M may be applied to the surface of the transfer path P formed in the medicine mixing unit  27 . 
     Furthermore, according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept, the medicine receiving part  272  may receive the medicine M in both the transfer path P and the space R formed on the transfer path. 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 49 , the medicine mixing unit  27  may be configured to have both the transfer path P and the space R, and the medicine M may fill the space R and may be coated on the transfer path P. 
     According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the medicine receiving part  272  may receive hydrogen peroxide as the medicine M. In the case where hydrogen peroxide with a predetermined concentration is used as the medicine M, germicidal action of plasma may be significantly enhanced than in the case where only plasma is used. However, the medicine M is not limited to hydrogen peroxide, and various materials may be used as the medicine M, depending on a treatment purpose or a part to be treated. 
     According to an embodiment, the transfer path P may include a straight tube that extends from the nozzle in a straight line. For example, the transfer path P in  FIGS. 47 and 49  is a straight tube with a constant diameter, and the transfer path P in  FIG. 48  is a straight tube with a variable diameter in the lengthwise direction. 
     However, according to an embodiment, the transfer path P may include a curved tube or a bent tube other than the straight tube. 
       FIG. 50  is a schematic view illustrating the transfer path P according to various embodiments of the inventive concept. 
     In  FIG. 50 , the transfer path P formed in the medicine mixing unit  27  is represented simply by a solid line, without regard for the thickness of the transfer path P. 
     As described above, the transfer path P may extend in a straight line from the nozzle of the plasma generation unit  21  to the discharging part  273  of the medicine mixing unit  27  (see a straight tube of  FIG. 50 ). 
     However, according to another embodiment, the transfer path P may extend in a curve shape from the nozzle to the discharging part  273  (see curved tubes  1  and  2  of  FIG. 50 ). 
     In this case, the curved tube may extend in a curve shape on a virtual plane where the nozzle and the discharging part  273  are located. That is, likewise to curved tube  1  of  FIG. 50 , the curved tube may be curved on a single plane. 
     In another case, the curved tube may be formed to be wound around a virtual line that connects the nozzle and the discharging part  273 . That is, likewise to curved tube  2  of  FIG. 50 , the curved tube may not be located on a single plane and may be formed to be wound around an axis X that connects the nozzle and the discharging part  273 . 
     In addition, according to yet another embodiment, the transfer path P may extend in a broken line shape from the nozzle to the discharging part  273  (see bent tubes  1  and  2  of  FIG. 50 ). 
     In this case, the bent tube may extend in a broken line shape on a virtual plane where the nozzle and the discharging part  273  are located. That is, likewise to bent tube  1  of  FIG. 50 , the bent tube may be bent on a single plane. 
     In another case, the bent tube may be formed to be wound around a virtual line that connects the nozzle and the discharging part  273 . That is, likewise to bent tube  2  of  FIG. 50 , the bent tube may not be located on a single plane and may be formed to be wound in a broken line shape around the axis X that connects the nozzle and the discharging part  273 . 
     Since the curved tube and the bent tube are curved or bent in a direction different from the direction of the axis X that connects the nozzle and the discharging part  273 , the curved tube and the bent tube have a longer plasma path than the straight tube. Accordingly, plasma may be mixed with a larger amount of medicine M on the transfer path P, and thus the degree of action of the plasma may be further increased. 
       FIG. 51  is a sectional view illustrating the transfer path P and a cavity C formed therein according to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the inventive concept, the medicine receiving part  272  may further include, in a portion corresponding to a vertex of a bent tube, the cavity C for receiving a medicine M. 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 51 , the bent tube extending in a broken line shape may include the cavity C at the vertex where a straight tube and a straight tube meet. The cavity C may be formed to have a predetermined volume and shape and may receive the medicine M therein. For example, the cavity C may be filled with the medicine M. Without being limited thereto, however, the medicine M may be coated on the inner surface of the cavity C. 
     According to this embodiment, plasma flowing along the transfer path P may enter the cavity C at the vertex of the bent tube and may form vortex in the cavity C. Accordingly, the plasma may be mixed with a larger amount of medicine M in the cavity C, and thus the degree of action of the plasma may be further increased. 
     The plasma treatment apparatus  2  described above may treat a body part, such as skin or a wound, using plasma or plasma and a medicine, thereby effectively removing harmful germs in an affected part and promoting regeneration of tissues. 
     While the inventive concept has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are not limiting, but illustrative.