Staple cartridge comprising a variable thickness compressible portion

A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler comprising an anvil, wherein the anvil comprises a row of first forming pockets and a row of second forming pockets, and wherein said staple cartridge comprises:

• a cartridge body, comprising:
• a deck, comprising:
• a slot configured to receive a cutting member;
• a first deck surface positioned on a first side of said slot;
• and
• a second deck surface positioned on a second side of said slot;
• a row of first staple cavities, wherein the first forming pockets are positioned relative to said first staple cavities when the anvil is in a closed position;
• and
• a row of second staple cavities, wherein the second forming pockets are positioned relative to said second staple cavities when the anvil is in said closed position, and wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening in said deck;
• a plurality of first staple drivers movable between an unfired position and a fired position, wherein each said first staple driver comprises a first support cradle, and wherein a first distance is defined between each said first support cradle and a first forming pocket when said first staple drivers are in said unfired position;
• a plurality of second staple drivers movable between an unfired position and a fired position, wherein each said second staple driver comprises a second staple support cradle, wherein a second distance is defined between each said second support cradle and a second forming pocket when said second staple drivers are in said unfired position, and wherein said first distance is different than said second distance;
• a plurality of first staples, wherein each said first staple is positioned in a said first staple cavity and supported by a first support cradle;
• a plurality of second staples, wherein each said second staple is positioned in a said second staple cavity and supported by a second support cradle;
• and
• a tissue thickness compensator, wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises a first portion positioned over said first deck surface and a second portion positioned over said second deck surface, and wherein said tissue thickness compensator is configured to be captured within said first staples and said second staples and assume different compressed heights within different said staples.

A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler comprising an anvil, wherein the anvil comprises a row of first forming pockets and a row of second forming pockets, and wherein said staple cartridge comprises:

• a cartridge body, comprising:
• a proximal end;
• a distal end;
• a deck surface extending between said proximal end and said distal end, wherein said deck surface comprises a contour between said proximal end and said distal end, wherein one of said proximal end and said distal end is positioned above the other of said proximal end and said distal end;
• a row of first staple cavities, wherein the first forming pockets are positioned relative to said first staple cavities when the anvil is in a closed position;
• and
• a row of second staple cavities, wherein the second forming pockets are positioned relative to said second staple cavities when the anvil is in said closed position, and wherein each said first staple cavity and said second staple cavity comprises an opening in said deck;
• a plurality of first staple drivers movable between an unfired position and a fired position, wherein each said first staple driver comprises a first support cradle, and wherein a first distance is defined between each said first support cradle and a first forming pocket when said first staple drivers are in said unfired position;
• a plurality of second staple drivers movable between an unfired position and a fired position, wherein each said second staple driver comprises a second staple support cradle, wherein a second distance is defined between each said second support cradle and a second forming pocket when said second staple drivers are in said unfired position, and wherein said first distance is different than said second distance;
• a plurality of first staples, wherein each said first staple is positioned in a said first staple cavity;
• a plurality of second staples, wherein each said second staple is positioned in a said second staple cavity;
• and
• a tissue thickness compensator positioned against said deck surface, wherein said tissue thickness compensator is configured to be captured within said first staples and said second staples and assume different compressed heights within different said staples.

A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler, wherein said staple cartridge comprises:

• a cartridge body, comprising:
• a deck;
• a row of first staple cavities defined in said deck;
• a plurality of first staples, wherein each said first staple comprises a first unfired height, and wherein a said first staple is positioned in each said first staple cavity;
• a row of second staple cavities defined in said deck;
• a plurality of second staples, wherein each said second staple comprises a second unfired height, wherein said second unfired height is different than said first unfired height, and wherein a said second staple is positioned in each said second staple cavity;
• a tissue thickness compensator, wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion having a second thickness, wherein said first thickness is different than said second thickness, wherein said first portion is aligned with said first staple cavities and is configured to be captured within said first staples, and wherein said second portion is aligned with said second staple cavities and is configured to be captured within said second staples.