Fastener cartridge comprising a releasable tissue thickness compensator

A staple cartridge, comprising:

• a cartridge body comprising a deck and staple cavities;
• staples at least partially positioned within said staple cavities;
• a layer attached to said deck, wherein said layer at least partially extends over said staple cavities;
• a retention pin engaged with said layer to secure said layer to said cartridge body;
• and
• a firing member movable through said cartridge body to eject said staples from said staple cavities during a firing stroke of said firing member, wherein said firing member is configured to disengage said retention pin from said layer during said firing stroke to release said layer from said cartridge body.

A staple cartridge, comprising:

• a cartridge body comprising a deck and staple cavities;
• staples at least partially positioned within said staple cavities;
• a layer attached to said deck, wherein said layer at least partially extends over said staple cavities;
• retention means for retaining said layer to said cartridge body;
• a firing member movable through said cartridge body to eject said staples from said staple cavities during a firing stroke of said firing member;
• and
• deactivation means for deactivating said retention means during said firing stroke.