Method for manufacturing an active fixation electrode

A method of fabricating an electrically active helix for an electrical medical lead comprising:

• a) forming a helix body having a proximal end and a distal end connected by a plurality of helical revolutions, the helix body comprising at least one electrically conducting core partially surrounded by an insulating sheath, wherein a portion of a surface of each electrically conducting core extending from the distal end towards the proximal end and facing in a predetermined direction is exposed;
• b) applying a continuous electrically conducting, biocompatible coating to a surface of the insulating sheath and each exposed surface of each electrically conducting core;
• and
• c) removing a portion of the electrically conducting biocompatible coating on the insulating sheath surrounding each continuous portion of the surface of each electrically conducting core such that the electrically conducting coating on the exposed surface of each electrically conducting core is not in electrical contact with the remaining electrically conducting coating on the insulating sheath.