The present disclosure provides treatment of an apparatus, in embodiments a delivery device (10), which prevents premature gelling of any materials or precursor(s) of a pH dependent forming material, in embodiments a hydrogel, dispensed by the delivery device. The pH microenvironment (4) near the surface (2) of a lumen of the device, in embodiments the tip of a spray applicator through which the material to be dispensed is expelled from the device, may be controlled to prevent premature gelling.