A vessel filter comprises a first region and a second region wherein the filter is movable between a collapsed position for delivery to the vessel and an expanded position for placement within the vessel. A first region has a filter portion (19) having a converging region (21) to direct particles toward the center of the filter, and the second region (17) is flared in the expanded position to have a transverse dimension increasing toward a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The second region includes a vessel engaging portion (72a, 72b) at the second end portion. The first region includes a plurality of spaced apart elongated struts (14) and a plurality of connecting struts (14a, 14b) extending at an angle from the elongated struts, and a spacer (40a, 40b) extending radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the filter.
