Single patient – multiple use (1 and a person in circling arrows)
The standard’s wording, as the sources below reproduce it:
“Indicates a medical device that may be used multiple times (multiple procedures) on a single patient.”
ISO 15223-1:2021, 5.4.12 · ISO 7000-3706
What it means for you
You may use it more than once, but only on the same person — a spacer, a mask, a reusable nebuliser part. Cleaning between uses follows the instructions. Sharing it with someone else is outside what the mark allows.
Whether a device is right for you is a question for your pharmacist, nurse or doctor.
- What it looks like
- A figure 1 beside a small standing person, inside two curved arrows that chase each other round in a circle.
- Where you see it
- Nebuliser masks and cups, inhaler spacers, some electrodes, cuffs and tubing sets.
- Other names
- single patient reusable; SPMU
What it does not tell you
It does not say how many times or for how long the device may be used, and it does not say how to clean it; the instructions do.
Often confused with
Indicates a medical device that is intended for one single use only.
More symbols in “Arrows”
Sources
ISO 15223-1 is a paid standard, so the wording above is quoted as 3 publishers’ public documents reproduce it. Each was fetched and read on the date shown:
- Boston Scientific: Symbols Glossary — ISO 15223-1 5.4.12 “Single patient-multiple use — Indicates a medical device that may be used multiple times (multiple procedures) on a single patient.” Image labelled ISO 7000-3706. Checked 2026-09-25.
- NE Scientific: Master Symbol Glossary (CTF-100011 Rev 01) — Shows the 1 and person in circling arrows for reference no. 5.4.12 (ISO 7000-3706). Checked 2026-09-25.
- MedTech Europe: Use of Symbols to Indicate Compliance with the MDR, version 3.0 (November 2021) — Section 10 “Single Patient – Multiple use (3706)”: “Medtech Europe recommends use of the present symbol for ‘Single patient - multiple use’ meaning. This symbol is part of the ISO 15223-1 standard and a part of the ISO 7000 database.” Checked 2026-09-25.
Plain-language parts are in our own words; quotations are the sources’ wording.