A biocompatible, implantable electrode for electrically active medicaldevices.The implantable medical electrode has a surface geometry which optimizes theelectrical performance of the electrode, while mitigating the undesirableeffectsassociated with prior art porous surfaces. The electrode has an optimizedsurfacetopography for improved electrical performance. Such a electrode is suitablefordevices which may be permanently implanted in the human body as stimulationelectrodes, such as pacemakers, or as sensors of medical conditions. Such isachieved by the application of ultrafast high energy pulses to the surface ofasolid, monolithic electrode material for the purpose of increasing the surfaceareaand thereby decreasing its after-potential polarization. In addition, theelectrodematerial comprises a biocompatible metal having a minimal or eliminated amountof metal oxides which are detrimental to electrode performance.
