Abstract: A cushion pad arrangement for protecting a person's extremity from compressive and side to side rubbing stresses, as particularly occur at a person's shin, ankle and foot as a result of wearing a boot during use, such as a ski boot during skiing. The cushion pads are formed as a sandwich of serially and parallel connected cells arranged between top and bottom layers, which cells and connecting tubes are formed of a somewhat resilient material, and are selectively filled with air, liquid or gel, depending upon the anticipated forces the pad is intended to cushion, the cushion pads to provide an increasing force dispersion with increasing pressures.

Abstract: A gradient tube holder and method for securely supporting gradient tubes for observation and access to a gradient therein. The gradient tube holder is pedestal-mounted and includes gradient tube-receiving bores, the bores being formed adjacent an edge so that a longitudinal slot can be formed along the length of the bore. A light shield surrounds the slots to shield the slots against extraneous light thereby enhancing visibility of the gradient tubes.