# Medical device symbol? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 9, 2019, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248 "2019-04-09T00:09:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/1 "2019-04-09T00:09:07Z")
I have a single-use plastic syringe with a circled Z symbol on it. What does this indicate? It does not appear in ISO 15223-1. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/2 "2019-04-09T03:42:29Z")
Have you ruled out the possibility that it is a manufacturer’s logo? ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/3 "2019-04-09T03:44:59Z")
Are you sure it is a Z and not a 2? A strike across 2 means do not reuse. > **[Search results for: 'packaging symbols' | Attends](https://www.attends.co.uk/search/packaging%20symbols?amnoroute)** > > Attends Incontinence and Bladder control products, care and education. Protective Underwear, Briefs, Pads and Underpads. Trusted healthcare solutions for over 40 years. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/4 "2019-04-09T10:53:37Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > Have you ruled out the possibility that it is a manufacturer’s logo? I have not ruled that out; I will have to find the original cardboard box… > [@am77494](#): > > Are you sure it is a Z and not a 2? A strike across 2 means do not reuse. > > [https://www.attends.co.uk/packaging-symbols](https://www.attends.co.uk/packaging-symbols) It’s definitely not a “2”. On this syringe itself, besides the graduation, is printed: Syringe 3ml for single use sterile Latex Free [circled Z] [circled 2 with diagonal stroke] The first symbol is a Ⓩ of the same size and weight as, but clearly distinguishable from, the struck-out circled 2 right next to it. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/5 "2019-04-09T12:19:10Z")
Who is the manufacturer? ---
**Author:** ![gdave](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gdave/32/3683_2.png) [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/6 "2019-04-09T13:19:44Z")
A z-track injection is a type of intramuscular injection. My guess would be that the circled z indicates that the syringe is suitable for use in a z-track injection. Syringes not suitable for z-track injections would presumably have a z in a crossed-out circle. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/7 "2019-04-09T14:08:00Z")
How about a pic or two? ---
**Author:** ![Kimble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimble/32/19185_2.png) [@Kimble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimble)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/8 "2019-04-09T18:26:11Z")
Is it the [Zimmer Biomet](https://www.zimmerbiomet.com/) logo? ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/9 "2019-04-09T22:52:21Z")
> [@gdave](#): > > A z-track injection is a type of intramuscular injection. My guess would be that the circled z indicates that the syringe is suitable for use in a z-track injection. Syringes not suitable for z-track injections would presumably have a z in a crossed-out circle. A Z-track injection doesn’t require any particular type of syringe. Any syringe capable of an IM injection (ie. any normal syringe) is suitable for that technique. Good guess though. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2019, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/10 "2019-04-10T01:09:26Z")
Do you know if the syringe was made with a specific use in mind? For example, syringes that are specifically intended for insulin use have specific markings for this purpose. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2019, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/11 "2019-04-10T12:35:12Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Who is the manufacturer? According to the individual wrapper, “Shandong Zibo Shanchuan Medical Instrument Co., Ltd., No. 88 Shanchuan Road, Zichuan, Zibo, Shandong Province, China.” > [@Kimble](#): > > Is it the [Zimmer Biomet](https://www.zimmerbiomet.com/) logo? It is not. The “Z” looks like a normal sans-serif “Z”, same as the “2”, except it’s a “Z” and not struck out. > [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > Do you know if the syringe was made with a specific use in mind? For example, syringes that are specifically intended for insulin use have specific markings for this purpose. Not that I know of. The wrapper says, “MEDI-PLUS SYRINGE SET / 3ml / sterile, non-toxic pyrogen free, do not use if the envelope is punctured. / Syringe 3ml for single use sterile / Latex Free / LUER SLIP”. The wrapper has STERILE EO, the crossed out 2, and a CE mark, but the Ⓩ is conspicuously absent. It appears only on the barrel of the syringe itself. I am not sure I can find the original carton. I will try to provide pictures of the actual syringe and wrapper. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2019, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/12 "2019-04-10T13:39:09Z")
My WAG is that it denotes the the plastic contains a Zinc additive which is one of the stabilizers that are used specifically to reduce degradation by sunlight, ozone, and biological agents. This may be important information depending on how, where, and with what the syringe is used. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2019, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/13 "2019-04-10T15:49:36Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > My WAG is that it denotes the the plastic contains a Zinc additive which is one of the stabilizers that are used specifically to reduce degradation by sunlight, ozone, and biological agents. This may be important information depending on how, where, and with what the syringe is used. Doesn’t seem likely to me - what’s the point of encoding important information in a way that is so difficult to interpret? It’s way out of my area of expertise, but my guess would be that it has something to do with the categorisation of the device (type). j ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2019, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/14 "2019-04-10T16:18:18Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > According to the individual wrapper, “Shandong Zibo Shanchuan Medical Instrument Co., Ltd., No. 88 Shanchuan Road, Zichuan, Zibo, Shandong Province, China.” > . On second look, it can’t be a coincidence that they are based out of Zibo, China. It might denote the factory where the syringe was produced. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/15 "2019-04-18T21:27:59Z")
Pictures: [https://transfer.sh/FGdRQ/a.jpg](https://transfer.sh/FGdRQ/a.jpg) [https://transfer.sh/pylrJ/b.jpg](https://transfer.sh/pylrJ/b.jpg) [https://transfer.sh/5R91A/c.jpg](https://transfer.sh/5R91A/c.jpg) [https://transfer.sh/ZwYxt/d.jpg](https://transfer.sh/ZwYxt/d.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/16 "2019-04-18T23:19:02Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > Pictures: > > [https://transfer.sh/FGdRQ/a.jpg](https://transfer.sh/FGdRQ/a.jpg) > [https://transfer.sh/pylrJ/b.jpg](https://transfer.sh/pylrJ/b.jpg) > [https://transfer.sh/5R91A/c.jpg](https://transfer.sh/5R91A/c.jpg) > [https://transfer.sh/ZwYxt/d.jpg](https://transfer.sh/ZwYxt/d.jpg) Thanks for the pictures, they help. But the mystery remains. I find it interesting that the circled Z is not on the manufacturer’s identification on the label. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/17 "2019-04-18T23:31:38Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > I find it interesting that the circled Z is not on the manufacturer’s identification on the label. What will really blow your mind is— unfortunately I don’t have a picture ATM— on some needles apparently from the same manufacturer the circled Z _is_ on the label. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/18 "2019-04-18T23:53:48Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > What will really blow your mind is— unfortunately I don’t have a picture ATM— on some needles apparently from the same manufacturer the circled Z _is_ on the label. And while the CE marking is clearly there, the pictures do not show any CCC marking. Maybe they’re not cleared to distribute in China? I’m a little familiar with the CCC and China type testing process… just a little. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/19 "2019-04-19T02:22:44Z")
My wife is a doctor. I showed her the picture. She said she’s seen that symbol. She doesn’t know what it means. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248/20 "2019-04-19T02:38:45Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > My wife is a doctor. I showed her the picture. She said she’s seen that symbol. > > She doesn’t know what it means. I never noticed a symbol like that. I Googled “circled Z on syringe” and didn’t get any useful information either. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-device-symbol/832248.md?page=2)