Staple cartridge comprising a tissue thickness compensator

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

• a staple cartridge, comprising:
• a proximal end;
• a distal end;
• a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end;
• a cartridge body comprising a deck, wherein the deck comprises uneven deck topography comprising a repeating pattern of topographical structures;
• a plurality of staple cavities defined in the cartridge body, wherein the plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a plurality of staple cavity rows, wherein the plurality of staple cavities forms an array of openings in the deck, and wherein at least one topographical structure overlaps at least one opening in the deck and is positioned intermediate at least two of the staple cavity rows;
• a plurality of staples removably stored in the staple cavities;
• and
• a plurality of staple drivers movably positioned in the staple cavities, wherein the staple drivers lift the staples toward an anvil during a staple firing stroke;
• and
• a compressible layer releasably secured to the staple cartridge, wherein the compressible layer comprises a base positioned adjacent the deck, wherein the base comprises an uneven base topography, and wherein an interface formed between the uneven base topography and the uneven deck topography limits translation of the compressible layer relative to the staple cartridge.

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

• a staple cartridge, comprising:
• a cartridge body defining a plurality of staple cavities arranged in a plurality of staple cavity rows, the cartridge body comprising:
• a deck comprising an uneven deck topography comprising a repeating pattern of topographical structures, wherein the plurality of staple cavities forms an array of openings in the deck, wherein at least one topographical structure overlaps at least one opening in the deck and extends across at least two of the staple cavity rows;
• a longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body, wherein the longitudinal slot extends from a proximal end toward a distal end of the staple cartridge;
• a plurality of staples removably stored in the staple cavities;
• and
• a plurality of staple drivers movably positioned in the staple cavities, wherein the staple drivers lift the staples during a staple firing stroke;
• and
• a compressible adjunct releasably secured against the staple cartridge, wherein the compressible adjunct comprises a bottom surface positioned adjacent the deck, wherein at least a portion of the uneven deck topography is mirrored on the bottom surface of the compressible adjunct.