Method for forming a staple

A method of forming a surgical staple comprising a base, a first staple leg, and a second staple leg, wherein the first staple leg comprises a first end portion, and wherein the second staple leg comprises a second end portion, said method comprising:

• supporting the base of the staple;
• positioning a staple pocket of an anvil in opposition to the staple, wherein the staple pocket comprises a longitudinal axis;
• positioning the first staple leg in an unformed and unheated configuration within a first cup of the staple pocket, wherein the first cup comprises a first inner surface;
• positioning the second staple leg in an unformed and unheated configuration within a second cup of the staple pocket, wherein the second cup comprises a second inner surface;
• contacting the first inner surface with the first end portion of the first staple leg to bend the first end portion of the first staple leg toward a first side of the base wherein the first staple leg is maintained in the unformed and unheated configuration until a first compressive force is applied to the first end portion of the first staple leg;
• contacting the second inner surface with the second end portion of the second staple leg to bend the second end portion of the second staple leg toward a second side of the base, wherein the second side is opposite the first side wherein the second staple leg is maintained in the unformed and unheated configuration until a second compressive force is applied to the second end portion of the second staple leg;
• applying the first compressive force to the first end portion of the first staple leg to bend the first staple leg toward the base and toward the second staple leg;
• applying the second compressive force to the second end portion of the second staple leg to bend the second staple leg toward the base and toward the first staple leg;
• guiding the first end portion of the first staple leg along a first path defined by a first channeling surface within the first cup of the staple pocket;
• guiding the second end portion of the second staple leg along a second path defined by a second channeling surface within the second cup of the staple pocket;
• deforming the first staple leg such that the first end portion of the first staple leg crosses a mid-line of the staple, wherein the mid-line of the staple is defined between the first staple leg and the second staple leg;
• and
• deforming the second staple leg such that the second end portion of the second staple leg crosses the mid-line of the staple.