An apparatus or method for forming a sterile connection. The apparatus includes at least two sterile tubes each disposed within a flange. Each flange has an external face that completely covers the mouth of the tube. Each flange is designed to be displaced when force is applied to the tube to move the tubes toward one another such that the external face of each flange is displaced radially or axially outwards away from the mouth of the tube. When the external faces are displaced, the external face of each flange opens and tubes connect and form a sterile connection therebetween.