Surgical stapling system configured to apply annular rows of staples having different heights

A surgical staple cartridge for use with a circular stapler, the surgical staple cartridge comprising:

• a cartridge body defining an annular deck surface;
• a plurality of deck features protruding from said annular deck surface;
• an inner annular row of staple cavities in said cartridge body;
• at least one first staple positioned within each staple cavity in said inner annular row, wherein each said first staple comprises a first crown and a pair of first legs extending from the first crown and defining a first unformed height;
• an outer annular row of staple cavities positioned radially outward with respect to the inner annular row of staple cavities;
• and
• at least one second staple positioned within each staple cavity in said outer annular row, wherein each said second staple comprises a second staple crown and a pair of second legs extending from the second crown and defining a second unformed height that differs from said first unformed height.

A surgical circular stapler, comprising:

• a staple cartridge, comprising:
• a cartridge body defining an annular deck surface;
• an inner annular row of staple cavities in said cartridge body;
• at least one first staple positioned within each staple cavity in said inner annular row, wherein each said first staple comprises a first crown and a pair of first legs extending from the first crown and defining a first unformed height;
• an intermediate annular row of staple cavities positioned radially outward with respect to the inner annular row of staple cavities;
• and
• at least one second staple positioned within each staple cavity in said intermediate annular row, wherein each said second staple comprises a second staple crown and a pair of second legs extending from the second crown and defining a second unformed height that differs from said first unformed height;
• an outer annular row of staple cavities positioned radially outward with respect to the inner annular row of staple cavities, wherein said intermediate annular row of staples cavities is positioned radially inwardly with respect to said outer annular row of staple cavities;
• and
• at least one third staple positioned within each staple cavity in said outer annular row, wherein each said third staple comprises a third staple crown and a pair of third legs extending from the third crown and defining a third unformed height that differs from said second unformed height;
• a tissue thickness compensator supported in at least some staple cavities and wherein said surgical circular stapler further comprises:
• an anvil movably supportable relative to said staple cartridge and comprising:
• a first staple forming portion located a first forming distance from said annular deck surface;
• a second staple forming portion located a second forming distance from said annular deck surface that differs from said first forming distance;
• and
• a third staple forming portion located a third forming distance from said annular deck surface that differs from said first and second forming distances.