Here is a method I developed for creating a helical curve along a path. It has many applications including modeling a rope, cable, twisted wires, and other organic helical shapes. It has advantages over using the built in helix primitive in that you can control the path of the helix precisely.

-Rick

https://youtu.be/4QoQqt4yoXo

For the bars that go between the helix you can use an animation snapshot. I have a tutorial someplace on the site for creating a chain and fence posts that demonstrates that workflow. The idea is you sweep a bar along the same path as the one used for the helix and key it's rotation at each cv along the path.

Cheers