Fastener cartridge comprising an extendable firing member

A fastener cartridge assembly, comprising:

• a cartridge body, comprising:
• a deck;
• a plurality of fastener cavities;
• a plurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is at least partially stored within a said fastener cavity;
• and
• a sled configured to eject said fasteners from said fastener cavities, wherein said sled comprises:
• a first ramp configured to lift said fasteners from a first position to a partially-lifted position;
• and
• a second ramp configured to lift said fasteners from said partially-lifted position to an ejected position, wherein said first ramp is movable relative to said second ramp, wherein said sled is movable between an unfired position, a partially-fired position, and a fired position during a firing stroke, wherein said first ramp is in a retracted position relative to said second ramp when said sled is in said unfired position, and wherein said first ramp is in an extended position relative to said second ramp when said sled is in said partially-fired position.

A fastener cartridge assembly, comprising:

• a cartridge body, comprising:
• a deck;
• a plurality of fastener cavities;
• a plurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is at least partially stored within a said fastener cavity;
• and
• a sled configured to eject said fasteners from said fastener cavities, wherein said sled comprises:
• a first ramp configured to lift said fasteners from a first position to a partially-lifted position;
• and
• a second ramp configured to lift said fasteners from said partially-lifted position to an elected position, wherein said first ramp is movable relative to said second ramp, wherein said first ramp is configured to directly engage said fasteners, and wherein said second ramp is configured to directly engage said fasteners.

A fastener cartridge assembly for use with a surgical instrument including an anvil, said fastener cartridge assembly comprising:

• a cartridge body, comprising:
• a deck;
• a plurality of fastener cavities;
• a plurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is at least partially stored within a said fastener cavity;
• and
• a firing member configured to move said fasteners toward the anvil, wherein said firing member comprises:
• a first ramp configured to lift said fasteners toward the anvil;
• and
• a second ramp configured to lift said fasteners toward the anvil, wherein said first ramp is movable relative to said second ramp, wherein said firing member is movable between a proximal unfired position, an intermediate partially-fired position, and a distal fired position during a firing stroke, wherein said first ramp is at least partially collapsed within said second ramp when said firing member is in said proximal unfired position, and wherein said first ramp is extended relative to said second ramp when said firing member is in said intermediate partially-fired position.

A fastener cartridge assembly for use with a surgical instrument including an anvil, said fastener cartridge assembly comprising:

• a cartridge body, comprising:
• a deck;
• a plurality of fastener cavities;
• a plurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is at least partially stored within a said fastener cavity;
• and
• a firing member configured to move said fasteners toward the anvil, wherein said firing member comprises:
• a first ramp configured to lift said fasteners toward the anvil;
• and
• a second ramp configured to lift said fasteners toward the anvil, wherein said first ramp is movable relative to said second ramp, wherein said first ramp is configured to directly engage said fasteners, and wherein said second ramp is configured to directly engage said fasteners.