Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.

Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.

Abstract: A first medical device for obstructive sleep apnea therapy includes therapy delivery circuitry coupled to a first set of electrodes implantable proximate to a first hypoglossal nerve within a tongue of the patient and configured to deliver a first electrical stimulation signal to the first hypoglossal nerve that causes the tongue of the patient to advance and includes information to communicate to a second medical device implantable within the head or neck of the patient and coupled to a second set of electrodes implantable proximate to a second hypoglossal nerve within the tongue of the patient; and sensing circuitry coupled to the first set of electrodes and configured to receive a second electrical stimulation signal, delivered to the second hypoglossal nerve by the second medical device, that includes information that the second medical device communicates to the first medical device.

Abstract: A method for determining the quantity of a connective tissue or muscle tissue breakdown product in a body fluid from an animal includes steps of providing a standard comprising the breakdown product having a label, the standard having a known specific activity, combining the standard and a sample of the body fluid, removing from the combined standard and sample a purified breakdown product fraction containing labelled breakdown product from the standard together with breakdown product from the sample, and measuring the specific radioactivity of the fraction as a measure of the quantity of the breakdown product in the sample.

Abstract: A method for determining a connective tissue breakdown product in a body fluid from an animal includes steps of providing a standard comprising the breakdown product having a radioactive label, the standard having a known specific radioactivity, combining the standard and a sample of the body fluid, removing from the combined standard and sample a purified breakdown product fraction containing labelled breakdown product from the standard together with breakdown product from the sample, and measuring the specific radioactivity of the fraction as a measure of the quantity of the breakdown product in the sample. Also, methods for assessing a condition of a selected connective tissue in an animal in vivo, and for assessing in vivo a disease process that includes destruction of a specified connective tissue component, and for assessing in vivo the efficacy of a therapy for treatment of such a disease process, include the steps of the method for determining a connective tissue breakdown product.