A vessel filter (1010) comprises a first region (1012) and a second region (1024), the filter movable between a collapsed position for delivery to the vessel and an expanded position for placement within the vessel. The first region (1012) has a filter portion (1019) having a converging region (1022) to direct particles toward the center of the filter. The first region includes a plurality of spaced apart filter struts (1014), the struts each having a plurality of hooks (1032) at the second region. The hooks have a vessel penetrating tip (1034) and a heel (1044), the penetrating tip of one hook longitudinally aligned in the collapsed position with a portion of the heel of an adjacent hook.
