Helix rotation by traction

A method of constructing a medical electrical lead, comprising the steps of:

• producing a coil/core structure by twisting two segments of fiber cord around one another to produce a fiber core having a Z-shaped braid and winding an elongated electrical conductor around the fiber core;
• electrically coupling opposite ends of the elongate electrical conductor to a first and a second electrical component;
• mechanically coupling opposite ends of the fiber core to the first and second electrical components;
• and
• encasing substantially all the coil/core structure with an insulative sheath.

A medical electrical lead, comprising:

• an elongated non-conductive resilient cord segment, folded over and twisted to form a series of Z-shaped braids and having a loop formed at a distal end;
• an elongated electrical conductor helically wrapped around a majority of the elongated resilient cord to thereby constrain the Z-shaped braids and not constrain the loop;
• an electrode electrically coupled to the distal end portion of the elongated electrical conductor and mechanically coupled to the loop of the elongated non-conductive resilient cord;
• and
• an insulative sheath surrounding substantially all of the medical electrical lead with the exception of at least a portion of the electrode.