| CPC A61B 17/07207 (2013.01) [A61B 2017/00473 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07264 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07271 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07278 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07285 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |

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1. A staple cartridge for a surgical instrument, the staple cartridge comprising:
(a) a cartridge body extending along a longitudinal axis and having an upper deck, wherein the upper deck defines a stapling surface, wherein a plurality of pockets extend through the upper deck for receiving respective staples; and
(b) a pan coupled to the cartridge body, wherein the pan includes:
(i) a laterally-opposed pair of sidewalls spaced apart from each other to define a trough, wherein the trough is sized and configured to receive the cartridge body,
(ii) at least one retention tab extending laterally outwardly from at least one sidewall of the laterally-opposed pair of sidewalls, wherein the at least one retention tab extends longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the at least one retention tab defines at least one recess extending laterally outwardly from the trough, wherein the at least one recess opens through the at least one sidewall at at least one of the proximal end or the distal end, and
(iii) at least one relief slot extending through the at least one sidewall, wherein the at least one relief slot is adjacent to the at least one of the proximal end or the distal end such that the at least one relief slot opens directly into the at least one recess.
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