I've literally cut open probably 20 different filters. I've even got pictures of a couple recent ones in my build thread. I've yet to cut open one that failed, or was designed so poorly it would fail. I've used Wix, Denso, Fram (Tough and Extra Guard), AC Delco, Purolator, K&N, you name it...The design differences between each are minimal. Of the filters I've cut open, the Denso and Wix seemed to have the more robust designs. The K&N filter actually looked the crappiest inside. At $4, the Fram tough guard filters are built fairly well and hard to beat for the price. I ran them exclusively for nearly a decade on my old 1G Eclipse without a single issue. Last I heard that turd still runs on the stock block.
Change the oil and filter and the proper interval and that's really the best you'll do, regardless of the filter used.