Patent ID: 7398908

Claim:
A staple cartridge for a surgical stapling apparatus, comprising: a first tissue contacting surface and a second tissue contacting surface, wherein the first tissue contacting surface and the second tissue contacting surface are not co-planar; a third surface extending generally between the first tissue contacting surface and the second tissue contacting surface, an angle being defined between the third surface and at least one of the first or second tissue contacting surfaces; a plurality of first retention slots defined in the first tissue contacting surface and a plurality of second retention slots defined in the second tissue contacting surface, each retention slot configured for housing a staple therein; a first plurality of staples having a first leg length and being disposed in the plurality of first retention slots; and a second plurality of staples having a second leg length and being disposed in the plurality of second retention slots, wherein the second leg length is different from the first leg length.