Methods of stapling tissue

A staple cartridge for use with a surgical instrument, wherein the staple cartridge comprises:

• a cartridge body comprising a longitudinal slot defining a longitudinal axis;
• a longitudinal row of first staple cavities positioned on a first side of the longitudinal slot, wherein each first staple cavity is oriented at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first staple cavities are configured to receive first staples;
• a longitudinal row of second staple cavities positioned on the first side of the longitudinal slot, wherein each second staple cavity is oriented at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the second staple cavities are configured to receive second staples;
• and
• a longitudinal row of third staple cavities positioned on the first side of the longitudinal slot, wherein each third staple cavity is oriented at a third angle relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the third staple cavities are configured to receive third staples, and wherein at least one of the first angle, the second angle, and the third angle is different from the others.

A fastener cartridge for use with a surgical instrument, wherein the fastener cartridge comprises:

• a longitudinal slot defining a longitudinal axis;
• a longitudinal row of first fastener cavities positioned on a first side of the longitudinal slot, wherein each first fastener cavity is oriented at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first fastener cavities are configured to receive first fasteners;
• a longitudinal row of second fastener cavities positioned on the first side of the longitudinal slot, wherein each second fastener cavity is oriented at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the second fastener cavities are configured to receive second fastener;
• and
• a longitudinal row of third fastener cavities positioned on the first side of the longitudinal slot, wherein each third fastener cavity is oriented at a third angle relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the third fastener cavities are configured to receive third fasteners, and wherein the first angle, the second angle, and the third angle are different from one another.