Method for forming a staple

A method of forming a surgical staple comprising a base, a first staple leg, and a second staple leg, 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 within a first cup of the staple pocket, wherein the first cup comprises a first inner surface;
• positioning the second staple leg within a second cup of the staple pocket, wherein the second cup comprises a second inner surface;
• applying a first compressive force to an end of the first staple leg to bend the first staple leg toward the base and toward the second staple leg;
• applying a second compressive force to an end of the second staple leg to bend the second staple leg toward the base and toward the first staple leg;
• contacting the first inner surface with the end of the first staple leg to bend the end of the first staple leg toward a first side of the base;
• and
• contacting the second inner surface with the end of the second staple leg to bend the end of the second staple leg toward a second side of the base, wherein the second side is opposite the first side;
• deforming the first staple leg such that the end 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 end of the second staple leg crosses the mid-line of the staple.

A method of forming a surgical staple comprising a base, a first staple leg, and a second staple leg, wherein the base, the first staple leg, and the second staple leg are positioned within a common plane prior to being deformed by an anvil, said method comprising

• supporting the base of the staple;
• positioning a staple pocket of the anvil in opposition to the staple, wherein the staple pocket comprises a longitudinal axis;
• positioning the first staple leg within a first cup of the staple pocket, wherein the first cup comprises a first inner surface at least partially positioned on a first side of the longitudinal axis;
• positioning the second staple leg within a second cup of the staple pocket, wherein the second cup comprises a second inner surface at least partially positioned on a second side of the longitudinal axis;
• applying a first compressive force to an end of the first staple leg to bend the first staple leg toward the base and toward the second staple leg;
• applying a second compressive force to an end of the second staple leg to bend the second staple leg toward the base and toward the first staple leg;
• contacting the first inner surface with the end of the first staple leg to bend the end of the first staple leg toward the first side of the longitudinal axis and toward a first side of the common plane;
• and
• contacting the second inner surface with the end of the second staple leg to bend the end of the second staple leg toward the second side of the longitudinal axis and toward a second side of the common plane;
• deforming the first staple leg such that the end of the first staple leg is positioned along a first axis, wherein said first axis transects a mid-plane of the staple at an angle, and wherein the mid-plane of the staple is defined between the first staple leg and the second staple leg;
• and deforming the second staple leg such that the end of the second staple leg is positioned along a second axis, wherein said second axis transects a mid-plane of the staple at an angle.