Ricardo "Rick" Estape joins Qaelon Scientific Advisory Board

STRASBOURG, France, August 24, 2026 -- Qaelon Medical, a pioneer in real-time surgical leak detection and advanced constant flow insufflation technology, today announced the appointment of Ricardo “Rick” Estape, MD, to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Dr. Estape is one of the world’s most experienced robotic gynecologic surgeons, having performed more than 11,000 robotics procedures across benign and oncologic gynecology. His extensive clinical experience provides a unique perspective on the demanding insufflation, visualization, and workflow challenges inherent to robotic gynecologic surgery.

Dr. Estape currently serves as the Director of HCA Florida Institute for Gynecologic Oncology, where he specializes in robotic gynecologic oncology, advanced minimally invasive surgery, and complex pelvic procedures. Over his career, he has advanced the adoption of minimally invasive approaches for gynecologic cancer care, helped shape best practices in robotic gynecology, and supported early clinical efforts for emerging robotic surgery platforms.

“Robotic gynecologic surgery presents some of the most demanding insufflation challenges in minimally invasive surgery. Suction and smoke evacuation during dissection, followed by significant and highly variable gas loss during colpotomy and uterine extraction, can disrupt visualization and procedural workflow. Qaelon’s intelligent constant-flow technology is designed to help maintain a stable surgical environment across these procedural phases by rapidly adapting gas delivery in response to gas loss and changes in intra-abdominal pressure,” said Dr. Estape.

“Additionally, the platform’s objective leak-detection capability has the potential to provide greater confidence during gynecologic procedures involving the bowel, including complex endometriosis surgery, where confirmation of intestinal integrity is an important component of surgical decision-making. I am pleased to join Qaelon’s Scientific Advisory Board and help guide the development of this innovative platform,” added Dr. Estape.

“Few surgeons understand the demands of robotic gynecologic surgery as deeply as Rick. His insight will help us deliver what surgeons need most: a stable operative environment that preserves visualization during rapid changes in gas loss and objective confirmation of organ integrity before the procedure is complete,” said Liam Burns, CEO of Qaelon Medical.

Dr. Estape joins existing Scientific and Data Advisory Board members including Barham Abu Dayyeh, MD, (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center), Marylise Boutros (Cleveland Clinic Florida), Joel Dunning, MD, MBBS, PhD (James Cook University Hospital), David Jayne (University of Leeds), Amin Madani (University of Toronto), Amrita Sethi (Northwestern Medicine), and Andrew Storm, MD, FASGE, (Wake Forest University School of Medicine). Together, these clinical and data leaders are helping guide the development of Qaelon’s technology across robotic, laparoscopic and endoluminal procedures.

About Qaelon Medical

Qaelon Medical is pioneering the future of surgical leak detection and insufflation. Its platform integrates real-time, quantitative leak detection with intelligent constant flow insufflation for minimally invasive procedures. By replacing outdated and subjective visual tests with digital sensors and adaptive algorithms, Qaelon is designed to help surgeons identify and address potential leaks intraoperatively while generating the first objective intraoperative data on organ integrity. This new information layer has the potential to improve surgical decision-making, reduce complications and support the development of predictive insights into surgical performance and patient outcomes. Headquartered in Strasbourg, France, Qaelon is supported by industry veterans, strategic partners, and a global network of clinical innovators.

Qaelon Medical’s products are under development, have not yet received FDA clearance or CE marking, and are not currently available for commercial sale in the United States or Europe.

For more information, visit www.qaelonmedical.com or contact:

Yee Ying Douchamps yee-ying.douchamps@qaelonmedical.com