Diffraction Surface Element

The latest Nikon patent for a 300mm F4 VR lens looks pretty exciting; I've been wanting a 300mm for long time and held off - looks like this might be the ticket.

http://nikonrumors.com/2012/08/04/the-latest-nikon-lens-patents.aspx/#more-42576

It looks like both Nikon and Canon are adding Diffraction Surface elements which allows them to produce a much shorter lens that also eliminates the resulting flair from diffraction. The question I am left with is will this new generation of lenses with Diffraction Surface elements also permit the use of smaller apertures before diffraction kicks in that causes softness? For example, if diffraction would normally start kicking in at f10 might it not start kicking in until say, f16 for lenses with Diffraction Surface elements?

Regards,
Mike