Fastener cartridge comprising a firing member including fastener transfer surfaces

A fastener cartridge for use with a surgical fastening instrument, wherein said fastening instrument comprises an anvil, and wherein said fastener cartridge comprises:

• a cartridge body, comprising:
• a deck including a tissue supporting surface;
• a plurality of fastener cavities, wherein each said fastener cavity includes an opening in said tissue supporting surface;
• a longitudinal row of fasteners;
• and
• a sled movable between an unfired position and a fired position to lift said fasteners toward the anvil, wherein said sled comprises a first ramp portion configured to lift each said fastener between an unlifted position and a partially lifted position, wherein said sled comprises a second ramp portion configured to lift each said fastener between said partially lifted position and a fully lifted position, wherein said first ramp portion comprises a first ramp height, wherein said second ramp portion comprises a second ramp height, and wherein said second ramp height is taller than said first ramp height.

A fastener cartridge, comprising:

• a cartridge body, comprising:
• a deck including a tissue supporting surface;
• and
• a plurality of fastener cavities, wherein each said fastener cavity includes an opening in said tissue supporting surface;
• a plurality of fasteners;
• and
• a firing member movable between an unfired position and a fired position to eject said fasteners from said fastener cavities, wherein said firing member comprises a first ramp portion configured to lift each said fastener between a first position and a partially lifted position, wherein said firing member comprises a second ramp portion configured to lift each said fastener between said partially lifted position and a fired position, and wherein said second ramp portion is positioned laterally and parallel with respect to said first ramp portion.

A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling instrument, wherein said surgical stapling instrument comprises an anvil, and wherein said staple cartridge comprises:

• a cartridge body, comprising:
• a deck including a tissue supporting surface;
• and
• a plurality of staple cavities, wherein each said staple cavity includes an opening in said tissue supporting surface;
• a plurality of staples;
• and
• a camming member movable between an unfired position and a fired position to lift said staples toward the anvil, wherein said camming member comprises a first ramp portion configured to lift each said staple between an unlifted position and a partially lifted position, wherein said camming member comprises a second ramp portion configured to lift each said staple between said partially lifted position and a fully lifted position, and wherein said second ramp portion is positioned laterally and parallel with respect to said first ramp portion.

A fastener cartridge for use with a surgical fastening instrument, wherein said surgical fastening instrument comprises an anvil, and wherein said fastener cartridge comprises:

• a cartridge body, comprising:
• a deck comprising a tissue supporting surface;
• a plurality of fastener cavities, wherein each said fastener cavity comprises an opening in said tissue supporting surface;
• a plurality of fasteners;
• and
• a sled movable between an unfired position and a fired position to move said fasteners toward the anvil, wherein said sled comprises a first ramp portion configured to move each said fastener between an unfired position and a partially fired position, wherein said sled comprises a second ramp portion configured to move each said fastener between said partially fired position and a fully fired position, wherein said first ramp portion comprises a first ramp height, wherein said second ramp portion comprises a second ramp height, and wherein said second ramp height is taller than said first ramp height.

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• a handle;
• a shaft extending from said handle;
• and
• an end effector, comprising:
• a first jaw;
• a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw;
• an anvil;
• and
• a fastener cartridge, comprising:
• a cartridge body, comprising:
• a deck comprising a tissue supporting surface;
• and
• a plurality of fastener cavities, wherein each said fastener cavity comprises an opening in said tissue supporting surface;
• a plurality of fasteners;
• and
• a firing member movable between an unfired position and a fired position to eject said fasteners from said fastener cavities, wherein said firing member comprises a first ramp portion configured to lift each said fastener between a first position and a partially lifted position, wherein said firing member comprises a second ramp portion configured to lift each said fastener between said partially lifted position and a fired position, and wherein said second ramp portion is positioned laterally and parallel with respect to said first ramp portion.