A Hicksville teenager got the chance Thursday to thank the robotic surgeon that stopped his crippling seizures.

"Rosa" is Cohen Children Medical Center's newest robotic tool for neurosurgeons. Last month, Rosa got its first real test with 14-year-old Louis Clappi.

Clappi has epilepsy and suffers from serious seizures. Doctors at Cohen needed to explore his brain and felt that Rosa's robotic arm was the best way to do it. Two weeks ago, they used Rosa to precisely implant 10 probes into Clappi's brain to pinpoint from where the seizures were coming.

Dr. Shaun Rodgers says Rosa can perform the surgery faster and is less invasive than previous methods, especially with children.

Doctors say Clappi will have to return for a second surgery. But they say all the data that Rosa was able to obtain will hopefully make that second surgery a success.

Clappi's mother says she has the utmost confidence in the surgeons and Rosa.

Doctors say Clappi was the first person on Long Island, child or adult, to helped by Rosa the robot.