Balls in a Helix

I started with a basic helix in ZBrush and then removed as much material as possible in a way that I could still have a passage for the balls. It turned out to be a challenge: maintaining the organic look while making sure the balls would either not get stuck or not fall out. For these things, I like to use the artistic side of my brain rather than the engineering side which would have calculated the detailed clearances needed for the balls but would have ignored the visual and tactile aspects o