Stapling assembly for forming different formed staple heights

An end effector for fastening tissue, comprising:

• a proximal end;
• a distal end;
• a first jaw comprising a cartridge, wherein said cartridge comprises a deck and a plurality of staple cavities, wherein said plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a first longitudinal row of staple cavities and a second longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein said deck is configured to support tissue, and wherein said deck comprises:
• a first deck surface, wherein said first longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said first deck surface;
• a second deck surface, wherein said second longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said second deck surface;
• and
• a wall defined between said first deck surface and said second deck surface;
• a plurality of first staples removably stored within said first longitudinal row of staple cavities;
• a plurality of second staples removably stored within said second longitudinal row of staple cavities;
• a second jaw comprising an anvil configured to deform said first staples to a first deformed height and said second staples to a second deformed height, wherein said first deformed height is different than said second deformed height;
• a plurality of staple drivers, wherein said staple drivers are configured to lift said first staples and said second staples toward said anvil;
• and
• a firing member movable toward said distal end, wherein said firing member is configured to lift said staple drivers toward said anvil, wherein said firing member comprises a first portion configured to engage said first jaw and a second portion configured to engage said second jaw, and wherein said firing member is configured to relatively position said anvil and said cartridge.

An end effector for fastening tissue, comprising:

• a proximal end;
• a distal end;
• a first jaw comprising a cartridge, wherein said cartridge comprises a deck and a plurality of staple cavities, wherein said plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a first longitudinal row of staple cavities and a second longitudinal row of staple cavities, and wherein said deck is configured to support tissue;
• a plurality of first staples removably stored within said first longitudinal row of staple cavities;
• a plurality of second staples removably stored within said second longitudinal row of staple cavities;
• a second jaw comprising an anvil configured to deform said first staples to a first deformed height and said second staples to a second deformed height, wherein said first deformed height is different than said second deformed height;
• a plurality of staple drivers, wherein said staple drivers are configured to lift said first staples and said second staples toward said anvil;
• and
• a firing member movable toward said distal end, wherein said firing member is configured to lift said staple drivers toward said anvil, wherein said firing member comprises a first portion configured to engage said first jaw and a second portion configured to engage said second jaw, and wherein said firing member is configured to relatively position said anvil and said cartridge.

An end effector for fastening tissue, comprising:

• a proximal end;
• a distal end;
• a first jaw comprising a cartridge, wherein said cartridge comprises a deck and a plurality of staple cavities, wherein said plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a first longitudinal row of staple cavities and a second longitudinal row of staple cavities, and wherein said deck is configured to support tissue;
• a first staple removably stored within said first longitudinal row of staple cavities;
• a second staple removably stored within said second longitudinal row of staple cavities;
• a second jaw comprising an anvil configured to deform said first staple to a first deformed height and said second staple to a second deformed height, wherein said first deformed height is different than said second deformed height;
• a staple driver system, wherein said staple driver system is configured to lift said first staple and said second staple toward said anvil;
• and
• a firing member, wherein said firing member is configured to lift said staple driver system toward said anvil as said firing member moves in a longitudinal direction toward said distal end, wherein said firing member comprises a first portion configured to engage said first jaw and a second portion configured to engage said second jaw, and wherein said first portion and said second portion of said firing member define a distance therebetween configured to establish a distance between said anvil and said deck.