how do i get photos off my ipod classic that needs restoring?

Hello! So i know this question has been asked before...but my question has a twist! I have around 8 years worth of photos on my ipod classic and unfortunately they are no longer backed up anywhere else (laptop died, memory cards gone).

All the photos are fine and dandy on my ipod and i can view them no problems at all, but everything else on my ipod mysteriously disappeared (2km into a full marathon which was spectacular timing!).

When i plug my ipod into my mac it says "if you are experiencing problems with your ipod you can restore its original settings by clicking restore ipod". Obviously that will delete my photos and i don't want that. I have tried Floola, Yamipod and a couple of other programs to try and retrieve the photos with no luck. I copied the files off my ipod to macbook but they are unix readable files and i cannot open them either.

I don't understand why everything else disappeared but my photos are still there. i'm desperate to get them back as it's basically 8 years worth of travel photos that aren't anywhere else.

Any hints, suggestions or black magic would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

-mike