Computer aided prescription of specialized seats for wheelchairs or other body supports

A method of defining a surface having a contour for placing an associated object in force contact therewith in a selected force distribution in relation to the surface, comprising the steps of:

• deforming a surface in accordance with an associated object placed in force contact therewith;
• generating a distribution signal representative of a force distribution along the surface means;
• selectively varying deformation of the surface;
• and
• generating an updated distribution signal representative of a modified force distribution along the surface incurred as a result of a varied deformation thereof

A computer aided wheelchair prescription system comprising:

• a seat portion including an array of pressure sensitive transducers on a surface thereof;
• deformation means for selectively varying a contour of the surface;
• and
• means for generating a distribution signal representative of a force distribution of an associated object in force contact with the surface.