Sterile connection/disconnection coupling and method

A method of creating a sterile connection between first and second valve members of a fluid transfer device, comprising:

• providing a first housing, said first housing comprising a first body member having a first valve port, a first door actuatable between a first valve port open position and a first valve port closed position, and having said first valve member and a first locking handle assembly;
• providing a second housing, said second housing comprising a second body member having a second valve port, a second door actuatable between a second valve port open position and a second valve port closed position, and having said second valve member and a second locking handle assembly;
• coupling said first and second housings;
• engaging said first housing and said second housing to one another by relative pivoting of said first housing and said second housing;
• locking said first and second housings together by actuating said first and second locking handle assemblies, thereby actuating said first and second doors to their respective valve port open positions.