The invention is directed toward stimulation of a selected tissue layer. A device is attached to a target tissue by applying vacuum pressure to a vacuum cavity of the device and advancing a needle into tissue within the vacuum cavity. The depth on the vacuum cavity is selected to permit deployment at the selected tissue layer. In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward an implantable medical device comprising a device housing defining a vacuum cavity, and a vacuum port for application of vacuum pressure to draw tissue into the vacuum cavity, an electrode that is movable into the vacuum cavity of the device housing to contact at least a portion of the tissue drawn into the vacuum cavity, and a lead comprising at least one conductor coupled to the electrode.