1. An implantable electrode, comprising: a) an insulator layer comprising an upper insulator surface; b) an electrically conductive interconnect, layer supported directly on the upper insulator surface and comprising an interconnect width extending between spaced apart first and second interconnect edges; c) an electrically conductive plug layer supported directly on an upper interconnect surface of the interconnect layer, the plug layer comprising a plug width extending between spaced apart first and second plug edges; d) an electrically conductive electrode layer supported directly on an upper plug surface of the plug layer, the electrode layer comprising an electrode width or diameter extending between spaced apart first and second electrode edges; and e) an electrically conductive anchor layer supported on the insulator layer, the anchor layer comprising an anchor width extending between spaced apart first and second anchor edges, f) wherein the anchor layer resides adjacent to at least one of the first and second edges of the electrode layer where the anchor layer is electrically connected to the electrode layer, and g) a portion of the insulator layer contacts the first plug edge and extends to an overlaying relationship with a portion of an upper anchor surface of the anchor layer to thereby lock the anchor layer in the insulator layer.