| CPC A61B 17/07207 (2013.01) [A61B 17/064 (2013.01); A61B 17/0644 (2013.01); A61B 17/068 (2013.01); A61B 17/072 (2013.01); A61B 17/105 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00398 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0645 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07214 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07228 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07235 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07257 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07264 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07271 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07278 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07285 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |

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1. A surgical stapling system, comprising:
an end effector movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the end effector comprising:
a frame; and
an anvil extending distally from the frame, wherein the anvil comprises a longitudinal row of forming pockets, wherein each forming pocket comprises a proximal forming cup and a distal forming cup; and
a first staple cartridge assembly attachable to the end effector, comprising:
a first cartridge body comprising a first deck and a first longitudinal row of first staple cavities formed in the first deck, wherein each first staple cavity has an opening on the first deck; and
a plurality of first staples removably stored in the first staple cavities, wherein each first staple is comprised of a bent wire, and wherein each opening of the first staple cavities is located on the first deck such that each first staple is aligned with a corresponding forming pocket of the anvil when the end effector is in the closed configuration; and
a second staple cartridge assembly attachable to the end effector in lieu of the first staple cartridge assembly, wherein the second staple cartridge assembly, comprises:
a second cartridge body comprising a second deck and a second longitudinal row of second staple cavities formed in the second deck, wherein each second staple cavity has an opening on second deck that has a shape different from a shape of each opening of the first staple cavities; and
a plurality of second staples removably stored in the second staple cavities, wherein each second staple is formed from flat stock, and wherein each opening of the second staple cavities is located on the second deck such that each second staple is aligned with a corresponding forming pocket of the anvil when said end effector is in said closed configuration such that each forming pocket of the anvil (i) is aligned with a corresponding first staple when first staple cartridge assembly attached to the end effector and the end effector is in the closed configuration and (ii) is aligned with a corresponding second staple when the second staple cartridge assembly is attached to the end effector and the end effector is in the closed configuration, wherein each second staple comprises a proximal leg formed by a proximal forming cup and a distal leg formed by a distal forming cup.
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