A surgical stapling system, comprising: a first staple made of a wire, wherein said first staple comprises: a first base; and a first leg extending from said first base; a second staple made of a wire, wherein said second staple comprises: a second base; and a second leg extending from said second base; a retention matrix, comprising: a first matrix element, comprising: a first aperture configured to receive said first leg; a first alignment pocket at least partially surrounding said first aperture, wherein said first alignment pocket is configured to guide said first leg into said first aperture; and a first retention member configured to engage said first leg; a second matrix element, comprising: a second aperture configured to receive said second leg; a second alignment pocket at least partially surrounding said second aperture, wherein said second alignment pocket is configured to guide said second leg into said second aperture; and a second retention member configured to engage said second leg; a connecting link connecting said first matrix element and said second matrix element; and characterised in that the surgical stapling system further comprises: an alignment matrix comprising a first alignment guide and a second alignment guide, wherein the first and second alignment guides comprise slots, grooves, and/or apertures, the first alignment guide operably engaged with said first leg and the second alignment guide operably engaged with said second leg, wherein said alignment matrix is configured to align the staple legs with the apertures in the retention matrix. a first staple made of a wire, wherein said first staple comprises: a first base; and a first leg extending from said first base; a first base; and a first leg extending from said first base; a second staple made of a wire, wherein said second staple comprises: a second base; and a second leg extending from said second base; a second base; and a second leg extending from said second base; a retention matrix, comprising: a first matrix element, comprising: a first aperture configured to receive said first leg; a first alignment pocket at least partially surrounding said first aperture, wherein said first alignment pocket is configured to guide said first leg into said first aperture; and a first retention member configured to engage said first leg; a second matrix element, comprising: a second aperture configured to receive said second leg; a second alignment pocket at least partially surrounding said second aperture, wherein said second alignment pocket is configured to guide said second leg into said second aperture; and a second retention member configured to engage said second leg; a connecting link connecting said first matrix element and said second matrix element; a first matrix element, comprising: a first aperture configured to receive said first leg; a first alignment pocket at least partially surrounding said first aperture, wherein said first alignment pocket is configured to guide said first leg into said first aperture; and a first retention member configured to engage said first leg; a first aperture configured to receive said first leg; a first alignment pocket at least partially surrounding said first aperture, wherein said first alignment pocket is configured to guide said first leg into said first aperture; and a first retention member configured to engage said first leg; a second matrix element, comprising: a second aperture configured to receive said second leg; a second alignment pocket at least partially surrounding said second aperture, wherein said second alignment pocket is configured to guide said second leg into said second aperture; and a second retention member configured to engage said second leg; a second aperture configured to receive said second leg; a second alignment pocket at least partially surrounding said second aperture, wherein said second alignment pocket is configured to guide said second leg into said second aperture; and a second retention member configured to engage said second leg; a connecting link connecting said first matrix element and said second matrix element; and characterised in that the surgical stapling system further comprises: an alignment matrix comprising a first alignment guide and a second alignment guide, wherein the first and second alignment guides comprise slots, grooves, and/or apertures, the first alignment guide operably engaged with said first leg and the second alignment guide operably engaged with said second leg, wherein said alignment matrix is configured to align the staple legs with the apertures in the retention matrix. an alignment matrix comprising a first alignment guide and a second alignment guide, wherein the first and second alignment guides comprise slots, grooves, and/or apertures, the first alignment guide operably engaged with said first leg and the second alignment guide operably engaged with said second leg, wherein said alignment matrix is configured to align the staple legs with the apertures in the retention matrix.