Patent ID: 8864007

Claim:
A staple cartridge, comprising: a plurality of staples, comprising: a group of first staples, wherein each said first staple comprises a first base and a first deformable leg extending from said first base, wherein an end of each said first deformable leg comprises a first tip, and wherein a first staple height is defined between said first base and said first tip; and a group of second staples, wherein each said second staple comprises a second base and a second deformable leg extending from said second base, wherein an end of each said second deformable leg comprises a second tip, wherein a second staple height is defined between said second base and said second tip, wherein said second staple height is taller than said first staple height; and an implantable cartridge body, wherein said implantable cartridge body is comprised of a compressible material, wherein said plurality of staples are embedded in said compressible material, and wherein said implantable cartridge body comprises: a first end, wherein said compressible material comprises a first thickness at said first end; a second end, wherein said compressible material comprises a second thickness at said second end, wherein said first thickness is different than said second thickness, and wherein said second staples are positioned in said second end of said implantable cartridge body and said first staples are positioned in said first end; and an intermediate portion positioned intermediate said first end and said second end, wherein said plurality of staples further comprises a group of third staples, wherein each said third staple comprises a third base and a third deformable leg extending from said third base, wherein an end of each said third deformable leg comprises a third tip, wherein a third staple height is defined between said third base and said third tip, wherein said third staple height is taller than said first staple height and shorter than said second staple height, and wherein said third staples are positioned in said intermediate portion of said implantable cartridge body.