Fastener system comprising a retention matrix and a cover

A surgical stapling system, comprising:

• a plurality of staples, each staple comprising a base, and a leg extending from said base, wherein each said leg comprises a tip;
• and
• a retention matrix, comprising:
• a first side facing toward said bases of said staples;
• a second side facing away from said bases of said staples;
• a plurality of retention members configured to engage said legs;
• and
• covering means for covering said tips.

A surgical stapling system, comprising:

• a first staple, comprising:
• a first base;
• and
• a first leg extending from said first base, the first leg comprising a first tip;
• a second staple, comprising:
• a second base;
• and
• a second leg extending from said second base, the second leg comprising a second tip;
• and
• a retention matrix, comprising:
• a first layer, comprising:
• a first side facing toward said first base and said second base;
• a second side facing away from said first base and said second base;
• a first retention member configured to engage said first leg;
• and
• a second retention member configured to engage said second leg;
• and
• protective means for protecting said first tip and said second tip.

A surgical stapling system, comprising:

• a first staple, comprising:
• a first body portion;
• and
• a first tip extending from said first body portion;
• a second staple, comprising:
• a second body portion;
• and
• a second tip extending from said second body portion;
• and
• a retention matrix, comprising:
• a first lamina, comprising:
• a first retention member configured to engage said first body portion;
• and
• a second retention member configured to engage said second body portion;
• and
• a second lamina extending over said first lamina, wherein said second lamina is configured to receive said first tip and said second tip.

A surgical stapling system, comprising:

• a first staple, said first staple comprising a first tip;
• a second staple, said second staple comprising a second tip;
• a retention matrix, comprising:
• a layer, comprising:
• a first retention member configured to engage said first staple;
• and
• a second retention member configured to engage said second staple;
• and
• a sheath extending over said layer, wherein said sheath is configured to receive said first tip and said second tip.