Patent ID: 8540133

Claim:
A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler, said staple cartridge comprising: a staple cartridge body; a cutting slot configured to receive a cutting edge; a plurality of staple cavities; a plurality of staples positioned in said staple cavities; a distal end; and a proximal end, comprising: a first proximal retention portion positioned on a first side of said cutting slot, wherein said first proximal retention member is configured to releasably engage a portion of the surgical stapler; and a second proximal retention portion positioned on a second side of said cutting slot, wherein said second proximal retention member is configured to releasably engage a portion of the surgical stapler; wherein said first proximal retention portion comprises a first retention slot configured to receive a first retention key of the surgical stapler, and wherein said second proximal retention portion comprises a second retention slot configured to receive a second retention key of the surgical stapler; and wherein said first retention slot comprises: a first distal side; and a first proximal side positioned opposite said first distal side, wherein said first proximal side is configured to deflect proximally when said first retention slot is engaged with the first retention key, and wherein said second retention slot comprises: a second distal side; and a second proximal side positioned opposite said second distal side, wherein said second proximal side is configured to deflect proximally when said second retention slot is engaged with the second retention key.