Staple cartridge assembly including staple guides

A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler, wherein said staple cartridge assembly comprises:

• a cartridge body, comprising:
• a proximal cartridge end;
• a distal cartridge end;
• a deck;
• and
• a staple cavity, comprising:
• a proximal cavity end;
• a distal cavity end;
• a proximal guide extending above and below said deck;
• a distal guide extending above and below said deck;
• and
• a connecting slot extending between said proximal cavity end and said distal cavity end, wherein said proximal guide and said distal guide extend laterally with respect to said connecting slot;
• and
• a staple removably stored in said staple cavity, comprising:
• a proximal leg positioned within said proximal guide;
• a distal leg positioned within said distal guide;
• and
• a base extending between said proximal leg and said distal leg, wherein said base is positioned in said connecting slot.

A fastener cartridge assembly for use with a surgical fastening instrument, wherein said fastener cartridge assembly comprises:

• a cartridge body, comprising:
• a proximal cartridge end;
• a distal cartridge end;
• a deck;
• and
• a fastener pocket, comprising:
• a proximal pocket end;
• a distal pocket end;
• a proximal guide;
• a distal guide;
• a proximal pocket extender, wherein said proximal pocket extender extends above said deck;
• a distal pocket extender, wherein said distal pocket extender extends above said deck;
• and
• a pocket opening extending between said proximal pocket end and said distal pocket end, wherein said proximal guide and said distal guide extend laterally with respect to said pocket opening;
• and
• a fastener removably stored in said fastener pocket, comprising:
• a proximal leg positioned within said proximal guide;
• a distal leg positioned within said distal guide;
• and
• a base extending between said proximal leg and said distal leg, wherein said base is positioned in said pocket opening.