Fully Implantable by AB?

It looks like Advanced Bionics was granted a patent for a fully implantable CI system today. I am not much of a science gal, but I am going to look it over. For other curious folks, here is the link. I wonder how long it takes for a device like this to go from planning to actual human subjects? Right now, Miss Kat is not remotely interested in a fully implantable system (and I am not interested in her being part of the first generation to use a new technology) but perhaps in the future...