Patent attributes
A stapling assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The stapling assembly comprises an anvil jaw, a firing member, and a replaceable cartridge jaw comprising a tissue-supporting deck including a first longitudinal step and a second longitudinal step. The first longitudinal step is positioned above the second longitudinal step. The replaceable cartridge jaw further comprises a longitudinal slot, a first longitudinal row of staple cavities, a second longitudinal row of staple cavities, a plurality of first staples, a plurality of second staples, a plurality of drivers, and a sled. The sled is configured to lift the drivers toward the anvil jaw to deform the first staples to a first formed height and the second staples to a second formed. The first formed height is different than the second formed height.
