| abstract |
A staple cartridge, or fastener cartridge, for a surgical stapler, or fastening instrument, wherein the staple cartridge includes a distally-located cutting blade arranged to cut a distal end portion of a layer, such as a tissue thickness compensator and/or a buttress material, for example, attached to the staple cartridge. The distally-located cutting blade can extend out of a distal cavity of the staple cartridge. The distally-located cutting blade can move in a direction that is perpendicular to a staple deck of the staple cartridge. The distally-located cutting blade can also move in any suitable direction relative to the staple deck. |