Modelling a 3D coil geometry for mechanical simulations

Hi all,

I am doing some research on coils' mechanical properties under Joule heating. I am having problems creating models for coils with a cross-section that is not circular. See the attached image for an example.

Does anyone have a good method of creating a helix with a non-circular cross section?

I tried a few 3D parametric curves, but was unable to come up with one that was meshable and computationally efficient. I tried modelling as a series of parallel layers, but this leaves me without any pitching on the layers nor connections between them.