Actuator for releasing a tissue thickness compensator from a fastener cartridge

A fastener cartridge assembly for use with a fastening instrument for fastening tissue, said fastener cartridge comprising:

• a cartridge body comprising a plurality of fastener cavities;
• a plurality of fasteners, wherein said fasteners are ejected from said fastener cavities during a portion of a firing stroke of the fastening instrument;
• compensation means for compensating for thickness variations within the tissue, wherein said compensation means is releasably attached to said cartridge body;
• attachment means for attaching said compensation means to said cartridge body, wherein said attachment means is positioned distal to at least one said fastener cavity;
• and
• releasing means for releasing said compensation means from said cartridge body, wherein said releasing means overcomes said attachment means before the portion of the firing stroke.

A fastener cartridge assembly, comprising:

• a cartridge body comprising a fastener cavity;
• a fastener removably positioned in said fastener cavity;
• a tissue thickness compensator releasably secured to said cartridge body;
• a connector, wherein said connector secures said tissue thickness compensator to said cartridge body distal to said fastener cavity;
• and
• an actuator, wherein said actuator extends past said fastener in said fastener cavity, and wherein said actuator is actuated proximal to said fastener cavity.